Novel 1,3-dihydro-2h-indol-2-one derivatives, process for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing them

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to compounds of formula:  
                 
 
as well as the possible salts thereof with mineral or organic acids, and the solvates and/or hydrates thereof, which have affinity for and selectivity towards the V 1b  receptors or towards both the V 1b  and V 1a  receptors of arginine-vasopressin. 
The invention also relates to the process for preparing them, to the intermediate compounds of formula (II) that are useful for preparing them, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use for the preparation of medicinal products.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/835,209,filed Apr. 29, 2004, now allowed, which is a division of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/182,048, filed Jul. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,730,695 B2, issued, May 4, 2004, which was the National Stage ofInternational application No. PCT/FR01/00,226, filed Jan. 24, 2001, allof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; whichclaims the benefit of priority of French Patent Application No.00/00,957, filed Jan. 25, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to novel 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-onederivatives, to a process for preparing them and to pharmaceuticalcompositions containing them.

2. Description of the Art

The compounds according to the present invention have affinity for andselectivity towards the V_(1b) receptors or towards both the V_(1b) andV_(1a) receptors of arginine-vasopressin (AVP).

AVP is a hormone which is known for its antidiuretic effect and itseffect in regulating arterial pressure. It stimulates several types ofreceptor: V₁ (V_(1a), V_(1b)), V₂. These receptors are located inparticular in the liver, the vessels (coronary, renal and cerebral), theplatelets, the kidneys, the uterus, the adrenal glands, the pancreas,the central nervous system and the pituitary gland. AVP thus exertscardiovascular, hepatic, pancreatic, antidiuretic andplatelet-aggregating effects and effects on the central and peripheralnervous system, and on the uterine sphere.

The location of the various receptors is described in: S. Jard et al.,Vasopressin and oxytocin receptors: an overview, in Progress inEndocrinology. H. Imura and K. Shizurne ed., Experta Medica, Amsterdam,1988, 1183-1188, as well as in the following articles: J. Lab. Clin.Med., 1989, 114, (6), 617-632 and Pharmacol. Rev., 1991, 43 (1), 73-108.

More particularly, the AVP V_(1a) receptors are located in manyperipheral organs and in the brain. They have been cloned in rats andman and they regulate most of the known effects of AVP: plateletaggregation; uterine contractions; the contraction of blood vessels;secretion of aldosterone, cortisol, CRF (corticotropin-releasing factor)and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH); hepatic glycogenolysis, cellproliferation and the main central effects of AVP (hypothermia, memory,etc.).

The V_(1b) receptors were initially identified in the adenohypophysis ofvarious animal species (rats, pigs, bovines, sheep, etc.) including man(S. Jard et al., Mol. Pharmacol., 1986, 30, 171-177; Y. Arsenijevic etal., J. Endocrinol., 1994, 141, 383-391; J. Schwartz et al.,Endocrinology, 1991, 129(2), 1107-1109; Y. De Keyser et al., FEBSLetters, 1994, 356, 215-220) in which they stimulate the release ofadrenocorticotrophic hormone via AVP and potentiate the effects of CRFon the release of ACTH (G. E. Gillies et al., Nature, 1982, 299, 355).In the hypothalamus, the V_(1b) receptors also induce a direct releaseof CRF (Neuroendocrinology, 1994, 60, 503-508) and are, in these variousrespects, involved in stress situations.

These V_(1b) receptors have been cloned in rats, man and mice (Y. DeKeyser, FEBS Letters, 1994, 356, 215-220; T. Sugimoto et al., J. Biol.Chem. 1994, 269(43), 27088-27092; M. Saito et al., Biochem. Biophys.Res. Commun., 1995, 212 (3), 751-757; S. J. Lolait et al., Neurobiology,1996, 92, 6783-6787; M. A. Ventura et al., Journal of MolecularEndocrinology, 1999, 22, 251-260) and various studies (in situhybridization, PCR [polymerase chain reaction], etc.) reveal theubiquitous presence of these receptors in various central tissues(brain, hypothalamus and adenohypophysis in particular) and peripheraltissues (kidney, pancreas, adrenals, heart, lungs, intestine, stomach,liver, mesentery, bladder, thymus, spleen, uterus, retina, thyroid,etc.) and in certain tumors (hypophyseal, pulmonary, etc.) suggesting abroad biological and/or pathological role for these receptors and apotential involvement in various diseases.

By way of example, in rats, studies have shown that AVP regulates theendocrine pancreas, via the V_(1b) receptors, by stimulating thesecretion of insulin and glucagon (B. Lee et al., Am. J. Physiol. 269(Endocrinol. Metab. 32): E1095-E1100, 1995) or the production ofcatecholamines in the medullo-adrenal which is the site of a localsynthesis of AVP (E. Grazzini et al., Endocrinology, 1996, 137(a),3906-3914). Thus, in the latter tissue, AVP is thought to have a crucialrole, via these receptors, in certain types of adrenal pheochromocytomaswhich secrete AVP and thereby induce a sustained production ofcatecholamines which are the cause of hypertension and which areresistant to angiotensin II-receptor antagonists and to conversionenzyme inhibitors. The adrenal cortex is also rich in V_(1a) receptorsinvolved in the production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids(aldosterone and cortisol). Via these receptors, AVP (in the circulationor synthesized locally) can induce a production of aldosterone with anefficacy which is comparable to that of angiotensin II (G. Guillon etal., Endocrinology, 1995, 136(3), 1285-1295). Cortisol is a powerfulregulator of the production of ACTH, the stress hormone.

Recent studies have also shown that the adrenal glands are capable ofdirectly releasing CRF and/or ACTH via activation of the V_(1b) and/orV_(1a) receptors borne by the medullary cells (G. Mazzocchi et al.,Peptides, 1997, 18(2), 191-195; E. Grazzini et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol.Metab., 1999, 84(6), 2195-2203).

The V_(1b) receptors are also considered as a label for ACTH-secretingtumors such as certain pituitary tumors, certain bronchial carcinomas(SCLC [small lung cell cancers]), pancreatic, adrenal and thyroidcarcinomas, inducing Cushing's, syndrome in certain cases (J. Bertheratet al., Eur. J. Endocrinol., 1996, 135, 173; G. A. Wittert et al.,Lancet, 1990, 335, 991-994; G. Dickstein et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol.Metab., 1996, 81(8), 2934-2941). As regards the V_(1a) receptors, theyare a more specific label for small cell lung cancers (SCLC) (P. J. Wollet al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 1989, 164(1), 66-73). Thus, thecompounds according to the present invention are obvious diagnostictools and offer a novel therapeutic approach in the proliferation anddetection of these tumors, even at an early stage (radiolabelling; SPECT[single photon emission computed tomography]; PET scan [positronemission tomography scanner]).

The abundant presence of the V_(1b) receptor messenger in the stomachand intestine suggests an involvement of AVP via this receptor on therelease of gastrointestinal hormones such as cholecystokinin, gastrin orsecretin (T. Sugimoto et al., Molecular cloning and functionalexpression of V_(1b) receptor gene, in Neurohypophysis: Recent Progressof Vasopressin and Oxytocin Research; T. Saito, K. Kurokawa and S.Yoshida ed., Elvesier Science, 1995, 409-413).

1,3-Dihydro-2H-indol-2-one derivatives have been described in certainpatent applications as arginine-vasopressin receptor ligands and/oroxytocin receptor ligands: mention may be made of patent applications WO93/15051, EP-A-0 636 608. EP-A-0 636 609, WO 95/18105, WO 97/15556 andWO 98/25901.

No non-peptide compound with affinity for and selectivity towards theV_(1b) receptors or simultaneously for and towards both the V_(1b) andV_(1a) receptors of arginine-vasopressin is known to date.

Novel 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one derivatives have now been found whichhave affinity for and selectivity towards the V_(1b) receptors or forand towards both the V_(1b) and V_(1a) receptors ofarginine-vasopressin.

These compounds may be used for the preparation of medicinal productsthat are useful in the treatment or prevention of any pathology in whicharginine-vasopressin and/or the V_(1b) receptors or both the V_(1b)receptors and the V_(1a) receptors are involved, in particular in thetreatment or prevention of complaints of the cardiovascular system, forexample hypertension; of the central nervous system, for example stress,anxiety, depression, compulsive obsessive disorder and panic attacks; ofthe renal system; of the gastric system as well as in the treatment ofsmall cell lung cancers; of obesity; of type II diabetes; of insulinresistance; of hypertriglyceridemia; of atherosclerosis; of Cushing'ssyndrome; of any pathology following stress and chronic stress states.

All of the references described hereinabove are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, according to one of its aspects, one subject of the presentinvention is compounds of formula:

in which:

-   -   R₁ represents a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₄) alkyl; a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy;        a trifluoromethyl radical; a trifluoromethoxy radical;    -   R₂ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; a trifluoromethyl radical;    -   or R₂ is in position -6- of the indol-2-one ring and R₁ and R₂        together represent a divalent trimethylene radical;    -   R₃ represents a halogen atom; a hydroxyl; a (C₁-C₂)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₂)alkoxy; a trifluoromethoxy radical;    -   R₄ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₂)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   or R₄ is in position -3- of the phenyl and R₃ and R₄ together        represent a methylenedioxy radical;    -   R₅ represents an ethylamino group; a dimethylamino group; an        azetidin-1-yl radical; a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   R₆ represents a hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a group        —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉; a group —CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁;    -   R₇ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy;    -   R₈ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy;    -   R₉ represents a hydroxyl; a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; a group —NR₁₂R₁₃;    -   R₁₀ and R₁₁ each independently represent a (C₁-C₄)alkyl;    -   or R₁₀ and R₁₁, together with the nitrogen atom to which they        are attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen from:        azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,        morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl;    -   R₁₂ represents a hydrogen or a (C₁-C₄)alkyl;    -   R₁₃ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH group; a —C(CH₃)        (CH₂OH)₂ group; a —C(CH₂OH)₃ group;    -   or R₁₂ and R₁₃, together with the nitrogen atom to which they        are attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen from:        azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,        morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl;    -   n is 1 or 2;        as well as the solvates and/or hydrates thereof and the possible        salts thereof with mineral or organic acids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “halogen atom” means a chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodineatom.

The terms ”alkyl” and “alkoxy”, respectively, mean a linear or branchedalkyl radical or alkoxy radical, respectively.

The compounds of formula (I) comprise at least 3 asymmetric carbonatoms, the carbon atom bearing the substituent COR₅ has the (S)configuration, and the carbon atom bearing the substituent OR₆ haseither the (R) configuration or the (S) configuration. The opticallypure isomers of the compounds of formula (I) and the mixtures thereof inall proportions form part of the invention.

The salts are generally prepared with pharmaceutically acceptable acids,but the salts of other acids which are useful for purifying or isolatingthe compounds of formula (I) also form part of the invention. Thepharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula (I) are,for example, the hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate,dihydrogen phosphate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate,naphthalenesulfonate, para-toluenesulfonate, maleate, fumarate,succinate, citrate, acetate, gluconate or oxalate.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) thatare preferred are those in which:

-   -   R₁ represents a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a trifluoromethyl        radical; a trifluoromethoxy radical;    -   R₂ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; a trifluoromethyl radical;    -   or R₂ is in position -6- of the indol-2-one ring and R₁ and R₂        together represent a divalent trimethylene radical;    -   R₃ represents a halogen atom; a hydroxyl; a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   R₄ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₂)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   or R₄ is in position -3- of the phenyl and R₃ and R₄ together        represent a methylenedioxy radical;    -   R₅ represents an ethylamino group; a dimethylamino group; an        azetidin-1-yl group; a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   R₆ represents a hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl;    -   R₇ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy;    -   R₈ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy;        as well as the solvates and/or hydrates thereof and the possible        salts thereof with mineral or organic acids.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₁ represents a chlorine atom, a methyl radical or atrifluoromethoxy radical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or is in position -6- of theindol-2-one and represents a chlorine atom, a methyl radical, a methoxyradical or a trifluoromethyl radical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₃ represents a chlorine atom, a fluorine atom, a methoxy radical,an ethoxy radical or a trifluoromethoxy radical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₄ represents a hydrogen atom or is in position -3- or -4- of thephenyl and represents a fluorine atom or a methoxy radical; or R₄ is inposition -3- of the phenyl and, together with R₃, represent amethylenedioxy radical, are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₅ represents a dimethylamino group, an azetidin-1-yl radical or amethoxy radical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₆ represents a halogen atom, a methyl radical, an ethyl radical,a tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl radical, a carboxymethyl radical, a[[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]carbonylmethylradical, a (1-piperazinyl)carbonylmethyl radical, a(4-morpholinyl)carbonylmethyl radical or a 3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoylradical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₇ is in position -2- or -3- of the phenyl and represents amethoxy radical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) inwhich R₈ represents a methoxy radical are preferred.

According to the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) in theform of optically pure isomers are preferred.

Particularly preferred are the optically pure isomers of the compoundsof formula:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are as defined for a compoundof formula (I), the carbon atom bearing substituent OR₆ has the (R)configuration and the carbon atom in position 3 of the indol-2-one haseither the (R) configuration or the (S) configuration.

The laevorotatory isomer of the compounds of formula (Ia) is moreparticularly preferred.

Most particularly preferred are the compounds of formula (Ia),laevorotatory isomer, in which:

-   -   R₁ represents a chlorine atom, a methyl radical or a        trifluoromethoxy radical;    -   R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or is in position -6- of the        indol-2-one and represents a chlorine atom, a methyl radical, a        methoxy radical or a trifluoromethyl radical;    -   R₃ represents a chlorine atom, a fluorine atom, a methoxy        radical or an ethoxy radical;    -   R₄ represents a hydrogen atom or is in position -3- or -4- of        the phenyl and represents a fluorine atom or a methoxy radical;    -   or R₄ is in position -3- of the phenyl and, together with R₃,        represent a methylenedioxy radical;    -   R₅ represents a dimethylamino radical or a methoxy radical;    -   R₆ represents a hydrogen atom; a methyl radical; an ethyl        radical; a tert-butyloxycarbonylmethyl radical; a carboxymethyl        radical; a        [[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]carbonylmethyl        radical; a (1-piperazinyl)carbonylmethyl radical; a        (4-morpholinyl)carbonylmethyl radical; a        3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoyl radical;    -   R₇ is in position -2- of the phenyl and represents a methoxy        radical;    -   R₈ represents a methoxy radical;        as well as the salts thereof with mineral or organic acids, and        the solvates and/or hydrates thereof.

The following compounds:

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-methoxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidine-carboxylate,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Methyl-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-2-(azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Trifluoromethoxy-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-5,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[6-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-ethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5,6-Dichloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,laevorotatory isomer;

Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5,6-Dichloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate,laevorotatory isomer;

2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]aceticacid, laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[2-[[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]-2-oxoethoxy]-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-4-[2-oxo-2-(1-piperazinyl)ethoxy]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(2S,4R)-1-[[(2,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-4-[2-oxo-2-(4-morpholinyl)ethoxy]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer;

(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoate, laevorotatory isomer;

as well as the possible salts thereof with mineral or organic acids, andthe solvates and/or hydrates thereof are more particularly preferred.

According to another of its aspects, a subject of the present inventionis a process for preparing compounds of formula (I), possible saltsthereof with mineral or organic acids, and solvates and/or hydratesthereof, characterized in that:

a compound of formula:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are as defined for a compound offormula (I), is reacted, in the presence of a base, with a halide offormula:

in which R₇ and R₈ are as defined for a compound of formula (I) and Halrepresents a halogen atom.

The compound of formula (I) is optionally converted into a salt thereofwith mineral or organic acids.

The reaction is carried out in the presence of a strong base, forinstance a metal hydride such as sodium hydride or an alkali metalalkoxide such as potassium tert-butoxide, in an anhydrous solvent suchas N,N-dimethylformamide or tetrahydrofuran and at a temperature ofbetween −70° C. and +60° C. The reaction is preferably carried out usinga compound of formula (III) in which Hal=Cl.

A compound of formula (I) in which R₆ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkyl may alsobe prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I) in which R₆ representshydrogen with a (C₁-C₄)alkyl halide, in the presence of a base such as ametal hydride, in an inert solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide ortetrahydrofuran according to the conventional methods.

A compound of formula (I) in which R₆ represents a group —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉in which R₉ represents a hydroxyl is preferably prepared by hydrolyzinga compound of formula (I) in which R₆ represents a group —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉in which R₉ represents a tert-butyloxy, in acidic medium, using a strongacid such as trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid in a solvent suchas dichloromethane or dioxane and at a temperature of between 0° C. androom temperature.

A compound of formula (I) in which R₆ represents a group —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉in which R₉ represents a group —NR₁₂R₁₃ is preferably prepared byreacting a compound of formula (I) in which R₉ represents a hydroxylwith an amine of formula H—NR₁₂R₁₃ according to the conventional methodsof peptide coupling.

The compounds of formula (I) thus obtained may be subsequently separatedfrom the reaction medium and purified according to the conventionalmethods, for example by crystallization or chromatography.

The compounds of formula (I) thus obtained are isolated in free base orsalt form, according to the conventional techniques.

When the compounds of formula (I) are obtained in free base form, thesalification is carried out by treatment with the selected acid in anorganic solvent. By treating the free base, dissolved, for example, inan ether such as diethyl ether or in an alcohol such as 2-propanol or inacetone or in dichloromethane, or in ethyl acetate or in acetonitrile,with a solution of the selected acid in one of the abovementionedsolvents, the corresponding salt is obtained, which is isolatedaccording to the conventional techniques.

Thus, the hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, trifluoroacetate,hydrogen sulfate, dihydrogen phosphate, methanesulfonate, oxalate,maleate, succinate, fumarate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate,para-toluenesulfonate, gluconate, citrate or acetate is prepared, forexample.

At the end of the reaction, the compounds of formula (I) may be isolatedin the form of a salt thereof, for example the hydrochloride or oxalate;in this case, if necessary, the free base may be prepared byneutralizing the said salt with a mineral or organic base, such assodium hydroxide or triethylamine or with an alkali metal carbonate orbicarbonate, such as sodium or potassium carbonate or bicarbonate.

The compounds of formula (II) are prepared by reacting a3-halo-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one compound of formula:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as defined for a compound of formula (I)and Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably chlorine or bromine, witha compound of formula:

in which R₅ and R₆ are as defined for a compound of formula (I). Thereaction is carried out in the presence of a base such asdiisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, in an inert solvent such asdichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran or a mixture of these solvents and ata temperature of between room temperature and the reflux temperature ofthe solvent.

The compounds of formula (III) are known or prepared by known methodssuch as those disclosed in EP-B-0 469 984 and WO 95/18105. For example,the compounds of formula (III) may be prepared by halogenating thecorresponding benzenesulfonic acids or salts thereof, for example thesodium or potassium salts thereof. The reaction is carried out in thepresence of a halogenating agent such as phosphorus oxychloride, thionylchloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus tribromide or phosphoruspentachloride, without solvent or in an inert solvent such as ahalogenated hydrocarbon or N,N-dimethylformamide and at a temperature ofbetween −10° C. and 200° C.

2,4-Dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride is prepared according to J. Am.Chem. Soc., 1952, 74, 2008. 3,4-Dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride iscommercially available or is prepared according to J. Med. Chem., 1977,20(10), 1235-1239.

The compounds of formula (IV) are known and are prepared according toknown methods such as those disclosed in WO 95/18105.

For example, a compound of formula:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as defined for a compound of formula (I),is converted into a compound of formula (IV) in which Hal=Cl by theaction of thionyl chloride in the presence of a base such as pyridine,in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane and at a temperature ofbetween 0° C. and room temperature.

According to another example for preparing the compounds of formula(IV), a compound of formula:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as defined for a compound of formula (I),is converted into a compound of formula (IV) by means of a halogenatingagent such as bromine, according to the process disclosed in Farm. Zh.(Kiev), 1976, 5, 30-33.

The compounds of formula (VI) are known and are prepared according toknown methods such as those disclosed in WO 95/18105.

For example, a compound of formula (VI) is prepared by reacting a1H-indole-2,3-dione derivative of formula:

in which R₁ and R₂ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), with anorganomagnesium derivative of formula:

in which R₃ and R₄ are as defined for a compound of formula (I) and Halrepresents a halogen atom, preferably bromine or iodine, in an inertsolvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether.

It is also possible to prepare a compound of formula (VI) in which R₃ isas defined for a compound of formula (I) and R₄, which is other thanhydrogen, is in position -3- or -6- of the phenyl, by reacting acompound of formula:

in which R₃ is as defined for a compound of formula (I) and R₄ is inposition -2- or -5- of the phenyl, with a lithium derivative such asn-butyllithium, and the lithiated intermediate thus obtained is thenreacted with a compound of formula (VIII). The reaction is carried outin a solvent such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or hexane or amixture of these solvents, at a temperature of between −70° C. and roomtemperature.

The 1H-indole-2,3-dione derivatives (VIII) are commercially available orare prepared according to the methods disclosed in Tetrahedron Letters,1998, 39, 7679-7682; Tetrahedron Letters, 1994, 35, 7303-7306; J. Org.Chem., 1977, 42(8), 1344-1348; J. Org. Chem., 1952, 17, 149-156; J. Am.Chem. Soc., 1946, 68, 2697-2703; Organic Syntheses, 1925, V, 71-74 andAdvances in Heterocyclic Chemistry, A. R. Katritzky and A. J. Boulton,Academic Press, New York, 1975, 18, 2-58.

The organomagnesium derivatives (IX) are prepared according to theconventional methods that are well known to those skilled in the art.

The compounds of formula (XVII) are known or prepared according to knownmethods.

A compound of formula (VI) may also be prepared by air-oxidation of acompound of formula (VII) in the presence of a base such as sodiumhydride and in the presence of dimethyl disulfide.

In particular, the compounds of formula (VI) in which R₃═(C₁-C₂)alkoxyand R₄═H, or R₃═R₄═(C₁-C₂)alkoxy with R₄ in position −3 or −6 of thephenyl, R₂ is other than a halogen atom and R₁ is as defined for acompound of formula (I), may be prepared by following the processdescribed in Scheme 1.

In step a1 of Scheme 1, a compound of formula (X) is first reacted witha lithium derivative such as n-butyllithium, in the absence or presenceof a base such as N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylenediamine, and the lithiatedintermediate thus obtained is then reacted with diethyl oxalate to givethe compound of formula (XI). The reaction is carried out in an inertsolvent such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or hexane or a mixture ofthese solvents and at a temperature of between −70° C. and roomtemperature.

In step b1, a compound of formula (XII) is first reacted with twoequivalents of a lithium derivative such as tert-butyllithium, and thelithiated intermediate thus obtained is then reacted with the compoundof formula (XI) to give the expected compound of formula (VI). Thereaction is carried out in an inert solvent such as diethyl ether,tetrahydrofuran or pentane or a mixture of these solvents and at atemperature of between −70° C. and room temperature.

The compounds of formula (X) are commercially available or synthesizedconventionally.

The compounds of formula (XII) are prepared by reacting thecorresponding aniline derivatives with di-tert-butyl dicarbonateaccording to the conventional methods.

The compounds of formula (VII) are known and are prepared according toknown methods such as those disclosed in WO 95/18105 or in J. Org.Chem., 1968, 33, 1640-1643.

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ represents a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy andR₆═H are commercially available.

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ represents a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy andR₆═(C₁-C₄)alkyl are known or are prepared according to known methodssuch as those disclosed in J. Med. Chem., 1988, 31, 875-885 startingwith (2S,4R)- or (2S,4S)-4-hydroxy-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acidprotected on the nitrogen atom of the pyrrolidine.

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ is an ethylamino ordimethylamino group or an azetidin-1-yl radical and R₆═H or (C1-C4)alkylare prepared according to Scheme 2 below in which Pr represents anN-protecting group, in particular benzyloxycarbonyl ortert-butoxycarbonyl.

In step a2 of Scheme 2, the nitrogen atom of the 4(R)- or4(S)-hydroxy-(S)-proline is protected according to the conventionalmethods to obtain a compound of formula (XIII).

The acid (XIII) is reacted in step b2 with ethylamine, dimethylamine orazetidine according to the conventional methods of peptide coupling togive the compound (XIV), which is deprotected, according to the knownmethods, to give a compound of formula (V) in which R₆═H.

In step d2, the compound (XIV) may be reacted with a (C₁-C₄)alkylhalide, in the presence of a base such as a metal hydride or an alkalimetal carbonate or alkaline-earth metal carbonate such as K₂CO₃ orCs₂CO₃, in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran orN,N-dimethylformamide and at a temperature of between 0° C. and thereflux temperature of the solvent, to give a compound (XV).

It is also possible to carry out the reaction of a compound (XIV) with a(C₁-C₄)alkyl halide under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis, in thepresence of a base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example sodiumhydroxide, and of a phase-transfer catalyst such as a substitutedquaternary ammonium salt, for example tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate, in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane or benzene as amixture with water.

Deprotection of the N-protecting group of compound (XV) gives, in stepe2, the compounds of formula (V) in which R₆═(C₁-C₄)alkyl.

Alternatively, in step f2, the hydroxyl of compound (XIII) is alkylatedby reaction with a (C₁-C₄)alkyl halide under the conditions of step d2,and the acid (XVI) thus obtained is reacted in step g2 with ethylamine,dimethylamine or azetidine according to the conventional methods ofpeptide coupling to give compound (XV).

(2S,4R)— and (2S,4S)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid arecommercially available.

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ represents an ethylamino group,a dimethylamino group, an azetidin-1-yl radical or a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy andR₆═—(CH₂)n-CO—R₉ in which n is 1 or 2 and R₉ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkoxyare prepared according to Scheme 3 below in which Pr represents anN-protecting group, in particular benzyloxycarbonyl ortert-butoxycarbonyl.

In step a3 of Scheme 3, a compound of formula (XVIII), prepared asdescribed above, is reacted with a compound of formula Hal-(CH₂)n-COR₉in which Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably chlorine or bromine,n is 1 or 2 and R₉ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy. The reaction is carriedout under the conditions described above in step d2 of Scheme 2, to givea compound (XIX).

Deprotection of the N-protecting group of compound (XIX) gives, in stepb3, the expected compounds (V).

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ is as defined for a compound offormula (I) and R₆═—(CH₂)n-CO—R₉ in which n is 1 or 2 and R₉ representsa hydroxyl are prepared by acidic hydrolysis of a compound of formula(XIX) in which R₉ represents a tert-butoxy and Pr represents abenzyloxycarbonyl. The reaction is carried out using a strong acid suchas trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid in a solvent such asdichloromethane or dioxane and at a temperature of between 0° C. androom temperature. Deprotection of the N-protecting group according tothe conventional methods gives the expected compounds (V).

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ is as defined for a compound offormula (I) and R₆═—(CH₂)n-CO—R₉ in which n is 1 or 2 and R₉ representsa group —NR₁₂R₁₃ are prepared by reacting a corresponding compound inwhich R₉ represents a hydroxyl and protected on the nitrogen atom of thepyrrolidine, with an amine HNR₁₂R₁₃ according to the conventionalmethods of peptide coupling.

Deprotection of the N-protecting group according to the conventionalmethods gives the expected compounds (V).

The compounds of formula (V) in which R₅ represents an ethylamino group,a dimethylamino group, an azetidin-1-yl radical or a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy andR₆═—CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁ in which n is 1 or 2 and R₁₀ and R₁₁ are asdefined for a compound of formula (I) are prepared according to Scheme 4below in which Pr represents an N-protecting group, in particularbenzyloxycarbonyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl.

In step a4 of Scheme 4, a compound of formula (XVIII) is reacted with acompound of formula Hal-CO—(CH₂)n-Hal′ in which Hal and Hal′ eachindependently represent a halogen atom, preferably chlorine or bromine,and n is 1 or 2. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a basesuch as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, in a solvent such asdichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran and at a temperature of between 0° C.and the reflux temperature of the solvent.

In step b4, the reaction of the compound of the formula (XX) thusobtained with a compound of formula HNR₁₀R₁₁ gives a compound of formula(XXI). The reaction is carried out in the presence of a base such astriethylamine or N,N-diisopropylethylamine, or using an excess of thecompound HNR₁₀R₁₁, in a solvent such as dichloromethane ortetrahydrofuran and at a temperature of between 0° C. and the refluxtemperature of the solvent.

Deprotection of the N-protecting group of compound (XXI) gives, in stepc4, the expected compound of formula (V).

In particular, a compound of formula (V) in which R₆═—CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁in which n is 2 can also be prepared according to Scheme 5 below inwhich Pr represents an N-protecting group, in particularbenzyloxycarbonyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl.

In step a5 of Scheme 5, a compound of formula (XVIII) is reacted withacryloyl chloride, under the conditions described above in step a4 ofScheme 4, to give the compound of formula (XXII).

In step b5, the reaction of compound (XXII) with a compound of formulaHNR₁₀R₁₁ gives a compound of formula (XXIII). The reaction is carriedout in the presence of ferric chloride, in a solvent such asdichloromethane and at a temperature of between room temperature and thereflux temperature of the solvent.

Deprotection of the N-protecting group of compound (XXIII) gives, instep c5, the expected compound of formula (V).

When it is desired to prepare an optically pure compound of formula (I),an optically pure compound of formula (II) is preferably reacted with acompound of formula (III) according to the process of the invention.

The optically pure compounds of formula (II) are prepared by reactingthe racemic compound of formula (IV) with an optically pure compound offormula (V), followed by separation of the mixture of diastereoisomersaccording to the conventional methods, for example by crystallization orchromatography.

Alternatively, the mixture of diastereoisomers of the compound offormula (II) can be reacted with the compound of formula (III) and themixture of diastereoisomers of the compound of formula (I) thus obtainedcan be separated.

During any of the steps for preparing the compounds of formula (I) orthe intermediate compounds of formula (II), (IV), (V) or (VI), it may benecessary and/or desirable to protect the reactive or sensitivefunctional groups, such as the amine, hydroxyl or carboxyl groups,present on any of the molecules concerned. This protection may becarried out using conventional protecting groups, such as thosedescribed in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, J. F. W. McOmie,published by Plenum Press, 1973, in Protective Groups in OrganicSynthesis, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, published by John Wiley &Sons, 1991 or in Protecting Groups, Kocienski P. J., 1994, Georg ThiemeVerlag. The removal of the protecting groups may be carried out in asuitable subsequent step using the methods known to those skilled in theart which do not affect the rest of the molecule concerned.

The N-protecting groups optionally used are the conventionalN-protecting groups that are well known to those skilled in the art,such as, for example, the tert-butoxycarbonyl,fluorenylmethoxy-carbonyl, benzyl, benzhydrylidene or benzyloxycarbonylgroup.

The compounds of formula (II) are novel and form part of the invention.

Thus, according to another of its aspects, a subject of the invention iscompounds of formula:

in which:

-   -   R₁ represents a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; a        trifluoromethyl radical; a trifluoromethoxy radical;    -   R₂ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; a trifluoromethyl radical;    -   or R₂ is in position -6- of the indol-2-one ring and R₁ and R₂        together represent a divalent trimethylene radical;    -   R₃ represents a halogen atom; a hydroxyl; a (C₁-C₂)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₂)alkoxy; a trifluoromethoxy radical;    -   R₄ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a (C₁-C₂)alkyl; a        (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   or R₄ is in position -3- of the phenyl and R₃ and R₄ together        represent a methylenedioxy radical;    -   R₅ represents an ethylamino group; a dimethylamino group; an        azetidin-1-yl radical; a (C₁-C₂)alkoxy;    -   R₆ represents a hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a group        —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉; a group —CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁;    -   R₉ represents a hydroxyl; a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; a group —NR₁₂R₁₃;    -   R₁₀ and R₁₁ each independently represent a (C₁-C₄)alkyl;    -   or R₁₀ and R₁₁, together with the nitrogen atom to which they        are attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen from:        azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,        morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl;    -   R₁₂ represents a hydrogen or a (C₁-C₄)alkyl;    -   R₁₃ represents a (C₁-C₄)alkyl; a —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH group; a        —C(CH₃)(CH₂OH)₂ group; a —C(CH₂OH)₃ group;    -   or R₁₂ or R₁₃, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are        attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen from:        azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,        morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl;    -   n is 1 or 2;        as well as the salts thereof with mineral or organic acids, in        the form of optically pure isomers or in the form of a mixture        of diastereoisomers.

The salts of compounds of formula (II) comprise those with mineral ororganic acids which allow a suitable separation or crystallization ofthe compounds of formula (II) such as the hydrochloride, hydrobromide,oxalate, maleate, succinate, fumarate, citrate or acetate.

The compounds of formula (I) above also comprise those in which one ormore hydrogen or carbon atoms have been replaced with their radioactiveisotope, for example tritium or carbon-14. Such labeled compounds areuseful in metabolic or pharmacokinetic research studies, in biochemicalassays as receptor ligands.

The compounds according to the invention have undergone biochemicalstudies.

The affinity of the compounds of formula (I) according to the inventionfor the arginine-vasopressin V_(1b) receptors was determined in vitrousing the method disclosed by Y. De Keyser et al., Febs Letters, 1994,356, 215-220. This method consists in studying in vitro the displacementof tritiated arginine-vasopressin ([³H]-AVP) from the V_(1b) receptorspresent on rat or human adenohypophyseal or cell membrane preparationsbearing the V_(1b) receptors. The concentrations of the compoundsaccording to the invention which inhibit 50% (IC₅₀) of the binding ofthe tritiated arginine-vasopressin are low and range from 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁹M, more particularly from 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ M.

The affinity of the compounds of formula (I) according to the inventionfor the arginine-vasopressin V_(1a) receptors was determined in vitrousing the method disclosed by M. Thibonnier et al., J. Biol. Chem.,1994, 269, 3304-3310. This method consists in studying in vitro thedisplacement of tritiated arginine-vasopressin ([³H]-AVP) from theV_(1a) receptors present on rat or human cell or membrane preparationsbearing the V_(1a) receptors. Among the compounds of formula (I), somealso have affinity for the arginine-vasopressin V_(1a) receptors withIC₅₀ values which range from 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁹ M, more particularly from 10⁻⁷to 10⁻⁸ M.

The affinity of the compounds of formula (I) according to the inventionfor the vasopressin V₂ receptors was also studied (method disclosed byM. Birnbaumer et al., Nature (Lond.), 1992, 357, 333-335). The compoundsstudied have little or no affinity for the V₂ receptors.

Compounds of the present invention are especially active principles ofpharmaceutical compositions, the toxicity of which is compatible withtheir use as medicinal products.

According to another of its aspects, the present invention relates tothe use of the compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate and/or hydrate thereof, for the preparation ofmedicinal products intended for treating any pathology in whicharginine-vasopressin and/or its V_(1b) receptors or both its V_(1b)receptors and its V_(1a) receptors are involved.

According to another of its aspects, the present invention relates tothe use of compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, solvate and/or hydrate thereof, for the preparation of medicinalproducts intended for treating pathologies of the cardiovascular system,of the central nervous system, of the renal system or of the gastricsystem, as well as small cell lung cancers, obesity, type II diabetes,insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, of atherosclerosis, Cushing'ssyndrome, all stress-related pathologies and chronic stress states.

Thus, the compounds according to the invention may be used, in man oranimals, in the treatment or prevention of various vasopressin-dependentcomplaints such as cardiovascular complaints, for instance hypertension,pulmonary hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, myocardial infarction orcoronary vasospasm, in particular in smokers, Raynaud's disease,unstable angina and PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronaryangioplasty), cardiac ischemia, haemostasis disorders; complaints of thecentral nervous system such as migraine, cerebral vasospasm, cerebralhemorrhage, cerebral edema, depression, anxiety, stress,obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, psychotic states andmemory disorders, for example; complaints of the renal system such asrenal vasospasm, renal cortex necrosis, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus;complaints of the gastric system such as gastric vasospasm, cirrhosis ofthe liver, ulcers, vomiting pathology, for example nausea includingnausea caused by chemotherapy and travel sickness; diabetic nephropathy.The compounds according to the invention may also be used in thetreatment of disorders of sexual behavior; in women, the compoundsaccording to the invention may be used to treat dysmenorrhoea orpremature labor. The compounds according to the invention may also beused in the treatment of small cell lung cancers; hyponatremicencephalopathies; pulmonary syndrome, Menière's disease; glaucoma,cataracts; obesity; type II diabetes; atherosclerosis; Cushing'ssyndrome; insulin resistance; hypertriglyceridaemia; in post-operativetreatment, in particular after abdominal surgery.

The compounds according to the invention may also be used in thetreatment or prevention of all stress-related pathologies such asfatigue and its syndromes, ACTH-dependent disorders, cardiac disorders,pain, changes in gastric emptying, faecal excretion (colitis, irritablebowel syndrome, Crohn's disease), acid secretion, hyperglycemia,immunosuppression, inflammatory processes (rheumatoid arthritis andosteoarthritis), multiple infections, cancers, asthma, psoriasis,allergies and various neuropsychiatric disorders such as anorexianervosa, bulimia, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, sleepingdisorders, panic attacks, phobias, obsession, pain-perception disorders(fibromyalgia), neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease), dependency on a substance,hemorrhagic stress, muscular spasms and hypoglycemia. The compoundsaccording to the invention may also be used in the treatment orprevention of chronic stress states such as immunodepression, fertilitydisorders and dysfunctions of the hypothalamo-hypophyso-adrenal axis.

The compounds according to the invention may also be used aspsychostimulants, bringing about an increase in consciousness and inemotional reactivity towards the environment and facilitating adaptationthereto.

The compounds of formula (I) above, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, solvate and/or hydrate thereof, may be used at daily doses of from0.01 to 100 mg per kilo of body weight of the mammal to be treated,preferably at daily doses of from 0.1 to 50 mg/kg. In man, the dose maypreferably range from 0.1 to 4000 mg per day, more particularly from 0.5to 1000 mg depending on the age of the individual to be treated or thetype of treatment: prophylactic or curative.

For their use as medicinal products, the compounds of formula (I) aregenerally administered in dosage units. The said dosage units arepreferably formulated in pharmaceutical compositions in which the activeprinciple is mixed with one or more pharmaceutical excipients.

Thus, according to another of its aspects, the present invention relatesto pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active principle, acompound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvateand/or hydrate thereof.

In the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention for oral,sublingual, inhaled, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous,transdermal, local or rectal administration, the active principles maybe administered in unit administration forms, mixed with conventionalpharmaceutical supports, to animals and humans. The appropriate unitadministration forms comprise oral forms such as tablets, gel capsules,powders, granules and oral solutions or suspensions, sublingual andbuccal administration forms, aerosols, topical administration forms,implants, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intranasal orintraocular administration forms and rectal administration forms.

When a solid composition is prepared in the form of tablets or gelcapsules, a mixture of pharmaceutical excipients which may be composedof diluents such as, for example, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose,starch, dicalcium phosphate, binders such as, for example,polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, disintegratingagents such as crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone or crosslinkedcarboxymethylcellulose, flow agents such as silica, talc, lubricantssuch as magnesium stearate, stearic acid, glyceryl tribehenate or sodiumstearyl fumarate is added to the active principle, which may or may notbe micronized.

Wetting agents or surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, polysorbate80 and poloxamer 188 may be added to the formulation.

The tablets may be prepared by various techniques, direct tableting, drygranulation, wet granulation, or hot-melt.

The tablets may be plain or sugar-coated (for example coated withsucrose) or coated with various polymers or other suitable materials.

The tablets may have an immediate, delayed or sustained release byproducing polymer matrices or by using specific polymers in the filmcoating.

The gel capsules may be hard or soft, and film-coated or otherwise, soas to have immediate, sustained or delayed activity (for example via anenteric form).

They may contain not only a solid formulation formulated as above forthe tablets but also liquid or semi-solid formulations.

A preparation in the form of a syrup or elixir may contain the activeprinciple together with a sweetener, preferably a calorie-freesweetener, methylparaben and propylparaben as antiseptic, as well as aflavoring and a suitable colorant.

The water-dispersible powders or granules may contain the activeprinciple as a mixture with dispersants, wetting agents or suspendingagents, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, as well as with sweeteners orflavor enhancers.

For rectal administration, use is made of suppositories which areprepared with binders that melt at the rectal temperature, for examplecocoa butter or polyethylene glycols.

Aqueous suspensions, isotonic saline solutions or sterile injectablesolutions which contain pharmacologically compatible dispersants and/orsolubilizing agents, for example propylene glycol, are used forparenteral, intranasal or intraocular administration.

Thus, to prepare an aqueous solution for intravenous injection, aco-solvent such as, for example, an alcohol such as ethanol or a glycolsuch as polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol, and a hydrophilicsurfactant such as polysorbate 80 or poloxamer 188 may be used. Toprepare an oily solution for intramuscular injection, the activeprinciple may be dissolved with a triglyceride or a glycerol ester.

Creams, ointments, gels, eye drops and sprays may be used for localadministration.

Patches in multilayer form or in a form with a reservoir in which theactive principle may be in alcoholic solution, and sprays may be usedfor transdermal administration.

An aerosol containing, for example, sorbitan trioleate or oleic acid aswell as trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorofluoromethane,dichlorotetrafluoroethane, freon substitutes or any other biologicallycompatible propellant gas is used for administration by inhalation; asystem containing the active principle alone or combined with anexcipient, in powder form, may also be used.

The active principle may also be in the form of a complex with acyclodextrin, for example α,β,γ-cyclodextrin or2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.

The active principle may also be formulated in the form of microcapsulesor microspheres, optionally with one or more supports or additives.

Among the sustained-release forms that are useful in the case of chronictreatments, it is possible to use implants. These may be prepared in theform of an oily suspension or in the form of a suspension ofmicrospheres in an isotonic medium.

In each dosage unit, the active principle of formula (I) is present inthe amounts tailored to the daily doses envisaged. In general, eachdosage unit is appropriately tailored according to the dosage and thetype of administration planned, for example tablets, gel capsules andthe like, sachets, ampules, syrups and the like, and drops, such thatsuch a dosage unit contains from 0.1 to 1000 mg of active principle,preferably from 0.5 to 250 mg which is to be administered one to fourtimes a day.

Although these dosages are examples of average situations, there may beparticular cases in which higher or lower dosages are appropriate, andsuch dosages also form part of the invention. According to the usualpractice, the dosage which is appropriate for each patient is determinedby the doctor according to the mode of administration, age, weight andresponse of the said patient.

The compositions of the present invention may contain, along with thecompounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvateand/or hydrate thereof, other active principles which may be useful inthe treatment of the disorders or diseases mentioned above.

Thus, a subject of the present invention is also pharmaceuticalcompositions containing several active principles in combination, one ofwhich is a compound according to the invention.

Thus, according to the present invention, pharmaceutical compositionscontaining a compound according to the invention combined with acompound acting on the CRF receptors may be prepared.

The compounds according to the invention may also be used to preparecompositions for veterinary use.

The Preparations and Examples which follow illustrate the inventionwithout, however, limiting it.

The following abbreviations are used in the Preparations and in theExamples:

ether: Diethyl ether

iso-ether: Diisopropyl ether

DMF: N,N-Dimethylformamide

THF: Tetrahydrofuran

DCM: Dichloromethane

EtOAc: Ethyl acetate

DIPEA: Diisopropylethylamine

TFA: Trifluoroacetic acid

Boc: tert-Butoxycarbonyl

Cbz: Benzyloxycarbonyl

BOP: Benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)-phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate

DCC: 1,3-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

HOBT: 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate

PS-Trisamine: Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine polystyrene 1% crosslinked withdivinylbenzene, containing 3.62 millimol of amine function per gram ofresin, sold by Argonaut Technologie.

m.p.: Melting point

RT: Room temperature

b.p.: Boiling point

HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography

The proton magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectra are recorded at 200 MHzin DMSO-d₆, using the peak for DMSO-d₆ as reference. The chemical shiftsδ are expressed in parts per million (ppm). The signals observed areexpressed as follows: s: singlet; bs: broad singlet; d: doublet; dd:doubled doublet; t: triplet; q: quartet; m: unresolved peak; mt:multiplet.

The mass spectra indicate the value MH⁺.

Preparations

Preparation of the compounds of formula (IV)

Preparation 1.13,5-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) 5-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

This compound is prepared according to the procedure disclosed in WO95/18105. A solution of 2-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide is preparedfrom 16 g of magnesium in 35 ml of ether and from a solution of 124 g of1-bromo-2-methoxybenzene in 175 ml of ether. This solution is added dropwise, under an argon atmosphere, to a mixture of 30 g of5-chloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 250 ml of THF, cooled beforehand in abath of ice, and the mixture is then left stirring while allowing thetemperature to return to RT. After stirring for one hour at RT, thereaction mixture is poured slowly into saturated NH₄Cl solution and theTHF is evaporated off under vacuum. The precipitate formed isspin-filtered off and washed with iso-ether. 42 g of the expectedproduct are obtained and are used in the next step without furtherpurification.

B) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

This compound is prepared according to the procedure disclosed in WO95/18105. A mixture of 12.71 g of the compound obtained in the precedingstep in 105 ml of DCM is cooled to 0° C. and 5.3 ml of pyridine areadded, followed by 4.9 ml of thionyl chloride. After stirring for 30minutes, water is added to the reaction mixture and the DCM isevaporated off under vacuum. The precipitate formed is spin-filteredoff, washed three times with water and then three times with iso-etherand dried. 13.66 g of the expected product are obtained and are usedwithout further purification.

Preparation 1.23-Bromo-5-chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; Hal=Br

This compound is prepared according to the procedures disclosed in WO95/18105 in steps A), B) and C) of Preparation 2.

Preparation 1.33-Chloro-5-methyl-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═CH₃; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) 5-Methyl-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 2-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide is prepared from 6.8 g ofmagnesium in 15 ml of THF and from a solution of 52.5 g of1-bromo-2-methoxybenzene in 75 ml of THF. This solution is added dropwise at RT, under an argon atmosphere, to a mixture of 8.9 g of5-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 80 ml of THF and is then refluxed for 3hours. After cooling to RT, saturated NH₄Cl solution is added to thereaction mixture, the resulting mixture is extracted three times withEtOAc and the combined organic phases are washed twice with water andwith saturated NaCl solution, dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent ispartially concentrated. The precipitate formed is spin-filtered off togive 9 g of the expected product.

B) 3-Chloro-5-methyl-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A mixture of 2 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 15 mlof DCM is cooled to 0° C. and 0.82 ml of pyridine is added, followed by0.76 ml of thionyl chloride. After stirring for 20 minutes, water isadded to the reaction medium and the DCM is evaporated off under vacuum.The aqueous phase is extracted with EtOAc and the organic phase iswashed with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄,and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 1.5 g of the expectedproduct are obtained after crystallization from a DCM/iso-ether mixture.

Preparation 1.43-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═OCF₃; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A)3-Hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 2-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide is prepared from 1.9 g ofmagnesium in 4 ml of ether and from a solution of 14.54 g of1-bromo-2-methoxybenzene in 21 ml of ether. This solution is added dropwise, under an argon atmosphere, to a mixture of 5 g of5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 26 ml of THF, cooledbeforehand in an ice bath, and then heated at the reflux point of theether for 1 hour 30 minutes and allowed to cool to RT. The reactionmixture is poured slowly into saturated NH₄Cl solution and extractedwith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, withwater and with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 2.8 g of the expected productare obtained.

B)3-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A mixture of 2 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 20 mlof DCM is cooled to 0° C., 0.7 g of pyridine is added, followed by 1.05g of thionyl chloride and the mixture is stirred for 15 minutes. Thereaction mixture is concentrated to a volume of 10 ml and this solutionis used in this form in Preparations 3.9 and 3.10.

Preparation 1.53,5-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-CH₃; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) Ethyl 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxoacetate

A solution of 27 g of 1-bromo-2-methoxybenzene in 270 ml of ether iscooled to −70° C., under an argon atmosphere, 90 ml of a 1.6 M solutionof n-butyllithium in pentane are added drop wise and the mixture is thenstirred for 45 minutes. 78 ml of diethyl oxalate are added rapidly andthe mixture is stirred while allowing the temperature to return to RT.After stirring for 1 hour at RT, saturated NH₄Cl solution is added tothe reaction mixture, the phases are separated by settling, the aqueousphase is extracted with ether, the combined organic phases are washedwith water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvents are evaporated off under vacuum. The excess diethyl oxalate isremoved by distillation under vacuum (b.p.=87° C. at 2000 Pa). Theresulting product is chromatographed on silica gel eluting with aDCM/hexane mixture (50/50; v/v) and then with DCM. The product obtainedis purified by distillation under vacuum. 13 g of the expected productare obtained; b.p.=110° C. at 3 Pa.

B)5-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-onea) tert-Butyl 4-chloro-3-methylphenyl-carbamate

A mixture of 10 g of 4-chloro-3-methylaniline and 15.26 g ofdi-tert-butyl dicarbonate in 50 ml of dioxane is stirred for 24 hours atRT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum and the residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of DCM/hexanemixture of from (50/50; v/v) to (70/30; v/v). 5.6 g of the expectedproduct are obtained and are used without further purification.

b) A solution of 5 g of tert-butyl 4-chloro-3-methylphenylcarbamate in45 ml of ether is cooled to −70° C., under an argon atmosphere, 30 ml ofa 1.5 M solution of tert-butyllithium in pentane are added drop wise,the mixture is stirred for 1 hour while allowing the temperature to riseto −10° C., and is stirred for 1 hour 45 minutes at −10° C. The reactionmixture is cooled to −70° C., a solution of 5 g of the compound obtainedin step A in 25 ml of THF is added drop wise and the mixture is stirredfor 1 hour while allowing the temperature to rise to −30° C., and isthen stirred overnight while allowing the temperature to return to RT.Saturated Na₄Cl solution is added to the reaction mixture, the THF isevaporated off, the resulting aqueous phase is extracted three timeswith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, the solvent is partially evaporated offand the crystalline product is spin-filtered off. 2.6 g of the expectedproduct are obtained; m.p.=254-256° C.

C) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A mixture of 1.25 g of the compound obtained in step B in 20 ml of DCMis cooled to 0° C., 0.51 ml of pyridine is added, followed by 0.47 ml ofthionyl chloride, and, after allowing the temperature to return to RT,the mixture is stirred for 1 hour. Water and DCM are added to thereaction mixture and, after separation of the phases by settling, theorganic phase is washed four times with water, dried over Na₂SO₄ andconcentrated under vacuum to a volume of 20 ml, and this solution isused in this form in Preparations 3.11 and 3.12 or 3.31.

Preparation 1.63-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dimethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═CH₃; R₂=6-CH₃; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) N-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-D,L-2-chloromandel-amide

A mixture of 50 g of 3,4-dimethylaniline and 76.5 g ofD,L-2-chloromandelic acid in 250 ml of 1,2-dichlorobenzene is heated at227° C. for 7 hours, while removing the water formed with the aid ofDean-Stark apparatus. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuumto half its volume and is left to crystallize at RT. The crystallineproduct formed is spin-filtered and washed with iso-ether. 89.42 g ofthe expected product are obtained, a sample of which is recrystallizedfrom a DCM/iso-ether mixture; m.p. 172-173° C.

B) 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-5,6-dimethyl-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one

100 ml of 95% sulfuric acid are cooled to −10° C., 12 ml of fumingsulfuric acid (65% oleum) are added drop wise over 30 minutes and themixture is stirred while allowing the temperature to rise to +10° C. Themixture is cooled again to 0° C., 23.8 g of the compound obtained in thepreceding stage are added portion wise over 10 minutes and the resultingmixture is stirred while allowing the temperature to rise, thetemperature stabilizing at 29° C. After stirring for 2 hours at RT, thereaction mixture is poured onto ice and the precipitate formed isspin-filtered off. The precipitate is dissolved in 1000 ml of DCM and200 ml of THF, the pH is brought to 2 by adding solid K₂CO₃, thismixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient ofDCM/EtOAc/THF mixture of from (90/10/5; v/v/v) to (80/20/5; v/v/v). 7.72g of the expected product are obtained; m.p.=231° C.

C) 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-5,6-dimethyl-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one

0.65 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added at RT, under an argonatmosphere, to a solution of 4 g of the compound obtained in thepreceding step in 70 ml of THF. After the evolution of gas has ceased,1.7 ml of dimethyl disulfide are added and a stream of air is bubbledinto the reaction mixture for 4 hours at RT. The reaction mixture ispoured into water, the THF is concentrated under vacuum, the aqueousphase is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water,with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, the solvent ispartially concentrated under vacuum and the crystalline product formedis spin-filtered off. 3.3 g of the expected product are obtained;m.p.=251-253° C.

D) 3-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dimethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A suspension of 1 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 7ml of DCM is cooled to 0° C., 0.4 ml of pyridine is added, followed by0.37 ml of thionyl chloride, and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes.The reaction mixture is diluted by adding 30 ml of DCM, the organicphase is washed with 20 ml of water and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is partially concentrated under vacuum at a temperature below40° C. This solution is used in this form in Preparations 3.13 and 3.14.

Preparation 1.73,5-Dichloro-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄=3-OCH₃; Hal=Cl

A) Ethyl 2-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxoacetate

A mixture of 27.6 g of 1,2-dimethoxybenzene in 160 ml of ether is cooledto −40° C., 250 ml of 1.6 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane areadded drop wise and the mixture is then stirred for 24 hours whileallowing the temperature to return to RT. The reaction mixture is cooledto −20° C., 136 ml of diethyl oxalate are added quickly and the mixtureis stirred while allowing the temperature to return to RT. Afterstirring for 30 minutes at RT, the reaction mixture is poured intosaturated NH₄Cl solution, the phases are separated by settling, theaqueous phase is extracted with ether, the combined organic phases arewashed twice with water and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvents areevaporated off under vacuum. The excess diethyl oxalate is removed bydistillation under vacuum (b.p.=90° C. at 2400 Pa). The resulting crudeproduct is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aheptane/iso-ether mixture (90/10; v/v). 25 g of the expected product areobtained and are used in the next step without further purification.

B)5-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2,3-dimethoxy-phenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-onea) tert-Butyl 4-chlorophenylcarbamate

A mixture of 12.7 g of 4-chloroaniline and 22 g of di-tert-butyldicarbonate in 60 ml of dioxane is stirred at RT for 24 hours. Thereaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken upin pentane and the precipitate formed is spin-filtered off and dried.22.5 g of the expected product are obtained.

b) A mixture of 11.4 g of tert-butyl 4-chlorophenylcarbamate in 100 mlof ether is cooled to −40° C., under an atmosphere of dry nitrogen, 80ml of a 1.5 M solution of tert-butyllithium in pentane are added dropwise and the mixture is stirred at −20° C. for 3 hours. The reactionmixture is cooled to −40° C., a solution of 14 g of the compoundobtained in step A in 50 ml of THF is added over one hour and themixture is stirred for 4 days at RT. The reaction mixture is poured intosaturated NH₄Cl solution and the precipitate formed is spin-filtered offand dried. 10.2 g of the expected product are obtained and are used inthe next step without further purification.

C) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

0.8 ml of pyridine and then 1.2 ml of thionyl chloride are added, at RT,to a mixture of 2 g of the compound obtained in step B in 50 ml of DCM,and the mixture is stirred until dissolution is complete. The reactionmixture is washed with 1N HCl solution and then twice with water anddried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/EtOAcmixture (95/5; v/v). 1.2 g of the expected product are obtained and areused without further purification.

Preparation 1.83,5-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-CF₃; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A)5-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-onea) tert-Butyl 4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenylcarbamate

This compound is prepared according to the procedure described in step Ba) of Preparation 1.5, from 4-chloro-3-trifluoromethylaniline anddi-tert-butyl dicarbonate in dioxane. The expected product is obtainedin the form of an oil which solidifies; m.p.=90° C.

b) A solution of 4 g of tert-butyl4-chloro-3-trifluoromethylphenylcarbamate in 30 ml of ether is cooled to−70° C., under an argon atmosphere, 22 ml of a 1.5 M solution oftert-butyllithium in pentane are added drop wise and the mixture isstirred for 1 hour while allowing the temperature to rise to −10° C. andis stirred for 2 hours 30 minutes at −10° C. The reaction mixture iscooled to −70° C., a solution of 3.05 g of the compound obtained in stepA of Preparation 1.5 in 15 ml of THF is added drop wise and the mixtureis stirred for 1 hour while allowing the temperature to rise to −30° C.and then for 16 hours while allowing the temperature to return to RT.Saturated NH₄Cl solution is added to the reaction mixture, the ether andTHF are evaporated off, the resulting aqueous phase is extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCMand then with a DCM/EtOAc mixture (90/10; v/v). 1.48 g of the expectedproduct are obtained after crystallization from an iso-ether/hexanemixture; m.p.=230-231° C.

B)3,5-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A suspension of 1.3 g of the compound obtained in step A in 8 ml of DCMis cooled to 0° C., 0.43 ml of pyridine and then 0.4 ml of thionylchloride are added and the mixture is stirred for 15 minutes. Thereaction mixture is washed three times with water, the organic phase isdried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is partially evaporated off undervacuum down to a volume of 10 ml. This solution is used in this form inPreparations 3.17 and 3.18.

Preparation 1.93,5-Dichloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-OCH₃; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) 4-Chloro-3-methoxyaniline

A mixture of 36 g of 2-chloro-5-nitroanisole and Raney® nickel in 150 mlof MeOH and 200 ml of THF is hydrogenated in Par apparatus for 4 hours,at 35° C. and at a pressure of 1.3 bar. The catalyst is filtered off onCelite® and the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum. 28 g of theexpected product are obtained, and are used without furtherpurification.

B) N-(4-Chloro-3-methoxyphenyl)-D,L-2-chloromandelamide

A mixture of 28 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and33.13 g of D,L-2-chloromandelic acid in 128 ml of 1,2-dichlorobenzene isheated at 230° C. for 4 hours, while removing the water formed with theaid of Dean-Stark apparatus. The reaction mixture is partiallyconcentrated under vacuum and left to crystallize. The crystallineproduct formed is spin-filtered off and washed with iso-ether. 40 g ofthe expected product are obtained.

C) 5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

40 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step are added rapidly to550 g of polyphosphoric acid, the mixture is then heated at 60° C. for 8hours and is left stirring overnight while allowing the temperature toreturn to RT. Ice-water is added to the reaction mixture and theprecipitate formed is spin-filtered off and washed with water. Theprecipitate is taken up in EtOAc and, after slurrying, the white productobtained is spin-filtered off and washed with iso-ether. 17.2 g of theexpected product are obtained; m.p.=243-247° C.

D)5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

2.56 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil are added at RT, under an argonatmosphere, to a solution of 17.2 g of the compound obtained in thepreceding step in 220 ml of THF. After the evolution of gas has ceased,6.85 g of dimethyl disulfide are added, air is bubbled into the reactionmixture and the mixture is stirred at RT for 72 hours. Water is added tothe reaction mixture, the THF is evaporated off under vacuum, theremaining aqueous phase is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase iswashed with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄,and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The product obtained isdissolved in DCM, the solvent is partially concentrated, the product isallowed to crystallize and the crystalline product formed isspin-filtered off. 6 g of the expected product are obtained;m.p.=237-240° C.

E) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A suspension of 1.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in20 ml of DCM is cooled in an ice bath, 0.375 ml of pyridine and then0.33 ml of thionyl chloride are added and the mixture is stirred for 30minutes. At the end of the reaction, a suspension of the expectedproduct which has precipitated in the DCM is obtained and thissuspension is used directly in Preparations 3.19 and 3.20.

Preparation 1.103,6-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═CH₃; R₂=6-Cl; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) 6-Chloro-5-methyl-3-methylthio-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one and4-chloro-5-methyl-3-methylthio-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

8.5 ml of chlorine are introduced into 320 ml of DCM cooled to −70° C.,followed by addition, over 20 minutes and at −70° C., of a solution of24 ml of ethyl methylthioacetate in 60 ml of DCM, and the mixture isstirred for 15 minutes at −70° C. A solution of 52.64 g of3-chloro-4-methylaniline in 100 ml of DCM is then added, at −70° C. andover 30 minutes, and is stirred for 1 hour 45 minutes at −70° C.Finally, 41.3 ml of triethylamine are added, at −70° C., and the mixtureis stirred for 1 hour while allowing the temperature to return to RT.The reaction mixture is washed twice with 250 ml of water, the organicphase is dried over MgSO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is taken up in a mixture of 600 ml of ether and 130ml of 2N HCl, and is stirred for 72 hours at RT. An insoluble product isfiltered off, the phases of the filtrate are allowed to separate bysettling, the organic phase is washed twice with water and dried overMgSO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCM and then with aDCM/EtOAc mixture (85/15; v/v). The mixture obtained isre-chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCM and then with aDCM/EtOAc mixture (95/5; v/v). The two isomers are separated.

1.16 g of the less polar isomer, which is6-chloro-5-methyl-3-methylthio-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one, are obtained,

0.72 g of the more polar isomer, which is4-chloro-5-methyl-3-methylthio-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one, is obtained.

E) 6-Chloro-5-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione

A mixture of 1.16 g of6-chloro-5-methyl-3-methylthio-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one obtained inthe preceding step and 0.681 g of N-chlorosuccinimide in 100 ml ofcarbon tetrachloride is refluxed for 1 hour. The reaction mixture isconcentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in a mixture of 80ml of THF and 20 ml of water and then refluxed for 16 hours. The THF isevaporated off under vacuum, the remaining aqueous phase is extractedwith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCMand then with a gradient of DCM/EtOAc mixture down to (85/15; v/v).0.793 g of the expected product is obtained; m.p.=264° C.

C)6-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 2-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide is prepared from 0.687 gof magnesium in 1.5 ml of ether and from a solution of 5.35 g of1-bromo-2-methoxybenzene in 7.55 ml of ether. This solution is addeddrop wise, under an argon atmosphere, to a mixture of 1.4 g of thecompound obtained in the preceding step in 14 ml of THF cooledbeforehand in an ice bath, and the mixture is then stirred whileallowing the temperature to return to RT. After stirring for 1 hour atRT, the reaction mixture is poured slowly into saturated NH₄Cl solution,the THF is evaporated off under vacuum, the aqueous phase is extractedwith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄ and the EtOAc is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCMand then with a DCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v). 1.6 g of the expectedproduct are obtained after crystallization from a THF/MeOH mixture;m.p.=266° C.

D) 3,6-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A suspension of 2.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in15 ml of DCM is cooled in an ice bath, 1 ml of pyridine and then 1.09 mlof thionyl chloride are added and the mixture is stirred for 2 hours.The reaction mixture is partially concentrated under vacuum down to avolume of 10 ml and this solution is used in this form in Preparations3.21 and 3.22.

Preparation 1.113-Bromo-5,6-dichloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-Cl; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; Hal=Br

This compound is prepared according to the procedures disclosed in WO95/18105 in steps A), B) and C) of Preparation 72.

Preparation 1.123,5-Dichloro-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₂CH₃; R₄═H, Hal=Cl

A) 1-Bromo-2-ethoxybenzene

A mixture of 17.5 g of 2-bromophenol, 66 ml of diethyl sulfate and 170ml of 10% NaOH solution is refluxed for 2 hours. After cooling thereaction mixture to RT, it is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase iswashed with 2N NaOH solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent isevaporated off under vacuum. 19.6 g of the expected product areobtained.

B) 5-Chloro-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 2-ethoxyphenylmagnesium bromide is prepared from 2.2 g ofmagnesium in 10 ml of ether and from a solution of 16.5 g of thecompound obtained in the preceding step in 40 ml of ether. This solutionis added drop wise and under a nitrogen atmosphere to a mixture of 5 gof 5-chloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 20 ml of THF, while keeping thetemperature of the reaction medium below 35° C. After stirring for 2hours at RT, the reaction mixture is poured into 200 ml of 2N HCl, themixture is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄and the solvents are evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is takenup in hot iso-ether and left to crystallize. The crystalline productformed is spin-filtered off, washed with iso-ether and dried. 5.7 g ofthe expected product are obtained; m.p.=251° C.

C) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

1 ml of thionyl chloride is added, at RT, to a mixture of 3 g of thecompounds obtained in the preceding step and 2 ml of pyridine in 50 mlof DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour at RT. The reactionmixture is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCM. 2.4 g of theexpected product are obtained after crystallization from iso-ether;m.p.=198° C.

Preparation 1.133,5-Dichloro-3-(2-trifluoromexothyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCF₃; R₄═H, Hal=Cl

A)5-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 25 g of 1-bromo-2-trifluoromethoxybenzene in 130 ml ofether is added drop wise to a mixture of 2.8 g of magnesium in 20 ml ofether, and once the refluxing has started it is maintained. At the endof the addition the mixture is refluxed for 1 hour. A mixture of 7.5 gof 5-chloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 100 ml of THF is then added, at atemperature below 40° C., followed by refluxing for 1 hour. Aftercooling to RT, the reaction mixture is poured into an ice/concentratedHCl mixture, the resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc, the organicphase is washed with water, with IN NaOH solution and dried over Na₂SO₄,and the solvent is evaporated under vacuum. 6.5 g of the expectedproduct are obtained after crystallization from a DCM/iso-ether mixture(20/80; v/v); m.p.=214° C.

B) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

0.7 ml of thionyl chloride is added, at a temperature below 20° C., to amixture of 2.7 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and 1 mlof pyridine in 20 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour. Thereaction mixture is washed twice with water, the organic phase is driedover Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 1.8 g of theexpected product are obtained after crystallization from iso-ether;m.p.=185° C.

Preparation 1.143,5-Dichloro-3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═F; R₄=3-F; Hal=Cl

A) 5-Chloro-3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 5.6 g of 1,2-difluorobenzene in 50 ml of ether is cooledto −10° C, 31 ml of a 1.6 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane areadded drop wise and the mixture is stirred at −10° C. for 2 hours. Thereaction mixture is cooled to −50° C., a solution of 4 g of5-chloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 40 ml of THF is added and the resultingmixture is stirred for 12 hours, while allowing the temperature toreturn to RT. The reaction mixture is poured into a concentratedHCl/ice/water mixture, the resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc,the organic phase is washed with 1N NaOH solution, with water and driedover Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 2.8 g ofthe expected product are obtained after crystallization from iso-ether;m.p.=248° C.

B) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

0.9 ml of thionyl chloride is added to a mixture of 2.8 g of thecompound obtained in the preceding step and 1 ml of pyridine in 30 ml ofDCM, and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour at RT. The reaction mixtureis washed twice with water and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent isevaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silicagel, eluting with DCM. 0.9 g of the expected product is obtained.

Preparation 1.153,5-Dichloro-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄=4-OCH₃; Hal=Cl

A)5-Chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 2,4-dimethoxyphenylmagnesium bromide is prepared from 2.2g of magnesium in 10 ml of THF and from a solution of 18 g of1-bromo-2,4-dimethoxybenzene in 40 ml of THF. This solution is addeddrop wise to a mixture of 5 g of 5-chloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 50 mlof THF at a temperature of 30° C., and the mixture is then refluxed for2 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to RT and poured into saturatedNH₄Cl solution, this mixture is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phaseis washed with water and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent isevaporated off under vacuum. 7.2 g of the expected product are obtainedafter crystallization from hot iso-ether.

B) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A mixture of 2.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and0.6 ml of pyridine in 20 ml of DCM is cooled to a temperature below 10°C., 0.6 ml of thionyl chloride is added drop wise and the mixture isstirred for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture is washed twice with waterand dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum.The expected product is obtained, and is used in this form inPreparations 3.38 and 3.39.

Preparation 1.163,5-Dichloro-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃+R₄=2,3-O—CH₂—O—; Hal=Cl

A) 4-Bromo-1,3-benzodioxol

This compound is prepared according to the process disclosed inTetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 6413-6414.

B)5-Chloro-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A solution of 1,3-benzodioxol-4-ylmagnesium bromide is prepared from0.85 g of magnesium in 10 ml of THF and from a solution of 6.7 g of thecompound obtained in the preceding step in 40 ml of THF. This solutionis added drop wise and at a temperature below 40° C. to a mixture of 3 gof 5-chloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 50 ml of THF and the resultingmixture is then stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is poured intosaturated NH₄Cl solution, the resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc,the organic phase is washed with water and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 1.12 g of the expected productare obtained after crystallization from DCM; m.p.=271° C.

C) 3,5-Dichloro-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

0.3 ml of thionyl chloride is added, at a temperature below 25° C., to amixture of 1.1 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and 0.4ml of pyridine in 20 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 30minutes. The reaction mixture is washed twice with water, the organicphase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. 0.62 g of the expected product is obtained after crystallizationfrom DCM; m.p.=241° C.

Preparation 1.173,5,6-Trichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

(IV): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-Cl; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; Hal=Cl

A) 5,6-Dichloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione

This compound is prepared according to the procedure disclosed in J. Am.Chem. Soc., 1946, 68, 2697-2703 or according to the procedure disclosedin J. Org. Chem., 1952, 17, 149-156.

B) 5,6-Dichloro-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

5.57 g of 1-bromo-2-methoxybenzene are added drop wise to a suspensionof 0.72 g of magnesium in 15 ml of ether containing a few crystals ofiodine, and the refluxing is maintained once it has started. At the endof the addition, the mixture is refluxed for 2 hours. A suspension of2.7 g of 5,6-dichloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione in 30 ml of THF is then addedand this mixture is refluxed for 30 minutes. After cooling to RT, thereaction mixture is poured into a water/ice/concentrated HCl mixture,the resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase isdried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. Theresidue is slurried in hot iso-ether and the precipitate formed isspin-filtered off and washed with ether. 3 g of the expected product areobtained.

C) 3,5,6-Trichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

A suspension of 1.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in30 ml of DCM is cooled in an ice bath, and 0.56 ml of pyridine is added,followed by 0.5 ml of thionyl chloride. After stirring for 1 hour at RT,the reaction mixture is diluted by addition of DCM, the organic phase iswashed with water to neutral pH and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solventis evaporated off under vacuum. 1.5 g of the expected product areobtained in the form of a foam which is used in this form.

Preparation of the compounds of formula (V).

Preparation 2.1 a(2S,4R)-4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide hydrochloride

(V), HCl: R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A)(2S,4R)-1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide

A mixture of 11.2 g of(2S,4R)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acidin 50 ml of DCM is cooled to 0° C., 8.45 ml of DIPEA and then 21.2 g ofBOP are added and the resulting mixture is stirred for 10 minutes.Dimethylamine gas is then added by sparging and the mixture is stirredfor 3 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is partially concentrated undervacuum to a volume of 20 ml and an insoluble material is filtered off.The filtrate is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (94/6; v/v) and the product obtained is re-chromatographed onalumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v). 11.1 g of theexpected product are obtained.

B) (2S,4R)-4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide hydrochloride

A mixture of 6.9 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 69ml of a 4N solution of HCl in ether is stirred for 2 hours at RT. Thereaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken upin ether and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum, this operationbeing repeated several times. 4 g of the expected product are obtained.

Preparation 2.1 b(2S,4R)-4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamidetrifluoroacetate

(V), CF₃COOH: R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A solution of 2.1 g of the compound obtained in step A of Preparation2.1 a) in 5 ml of DCM is cooled to 0° C., 10 ml of trifluoroacetic acidare added and this mixture is stirred for 2 hours at RT. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in DCM andthe solvent is evaporated off under vacuum, this operation beingrepeated several times. The expected product is obtained, and is useddirectly in Preparations 3.1 and 3.2.

Preparation 2.2 (2S,4R)-2-(Azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine

A)(2S,4R)-1-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-2-(azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine

A solution of 5 g of(2S,4R)-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid in 50ml of DCM and 10 ml of DMF is prepared, 2.7 g of HOBT and then 4.15 g ofDCC are added and the resulting mixture is stirred for 10 minutes at RT.The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., 2 g of azetidine are added andthis mixture is stirred for 12 hours, while allowing the temperature toreturn to RT. The precipitate formed is filtered off, the filtrate iswashed twice with saturated Na₂CO₃ solution, the organic phase is driedover Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The oilobtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (95/5; v/v). 2.1 g of the expected product are obtained.

B) (2S,4R)-2-(Azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine

1.8 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and 0.58 g of 10%palladium-on-charcoal in 80 ml of EtOH is hydrogenated overnight at RTand at atmospheric pressure. The catalyst is filtered off on Celite® andthe filtrate is concentrated under vacuum. 0.9 g of the expected productis obtained.

Preparation 2.3 (2S,4R)-4-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamidehydrochloride

(V), HCl: R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═CH₃

A)(2S,4R)-1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide

A solution of 6.5 g of the compound obtained in step A of Preparation2.1 a) in 70 ml of THF is cooled to 0° C., 1.2 g of 60% sodium hydridein oil are added portion wise and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutesat 0° C. A solution of 2.35 ml of methyl iodide in 10 ml of THF is thenadded drop wise and the mixture is stirred for 2 hours, while allowingthe temperature to return to RT. 5 drops of water are added and thereaction mixture is neutralized by addition of concentrated HCl and isconcentrated under vacuum. The residual water is removed azeotropicallyby addition of benzene and the resulting mixture is concentrated undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v). 6.1 g of the expected product areobtained.

B) (2S,4R)-4-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide hydrochloride

A mixture of 6.1 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and 65ml of a 4N solution of HCl in ether is stirred for 2 hours. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in DCM andthe solvent is evaporated off under vacuum, this operation beingrepeated several times. 4.45 g of the expected product are obtained.

Preparation 2.4 (2S,4R)-4-Ethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamidetrifluoroacetate

(V), CF₃COOH: R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═—CH₂CH₃

A) (2S,4R)-1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-ethoxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid

1.72 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil are added, under a nitrogenatmosphere, to a solution of 5 g of(2S,4R)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acidin 100 ml of THF, and the mixture is stirred for 45 minutes at RT. 3.27g of ethyl iodide are then added, the mixture is refluxed for 3 hoursand stirred for 18 hours while allowing the temperature to return to RT.The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is takenup in 5% KHSO₄ solution and extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase isdried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 4.5 gof the expected product are obtained in the form of an oil.

B)(2S,4R)-1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-ethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide

3.5 g of triethylamine and then 7.6 g of BOP are added to a solution of4.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 100 ml of DCM,and this mixture is stirred for 15 minutes at RT. Dimethylamine gas isthen added by sparging and the mixture is stirred for 3 hours at RT. Thereaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extractedwith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% Na₂CO₃ solution, with 5%KHSO₄ solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated offunder vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting witha DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5; v/v). 2 g of the expected product are obtainedin the form of an oil.

C) (2S,4R)-4-Ethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamidetrifluoroacetate

A solution of 2 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 10ml of DCM is cooled to 0° C., 10 ml of trifluoroacetic acid are addedand the mixture is stirred for 2 hours at RT. The reaction mixture isconcentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in DCM and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum, this operation being repeatedseveral times. 2 g of the expected product are obtained.

Preparation 2.5 (2S,4S)-4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamidehydrochloride

(V), HCl: R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A) (2S,4S)-1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylicacid

13.2 g of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate are added to a mixture of 4 g of(2S,4S)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid in 50 ml of a 10%solution of triethylamine in methanol, and the mixture is then refluxedfor 45 minutes. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is taken up in 40 ml of water and acidified to pH=2 by additionof concentrated HCl solution, the resulting mixture is extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent isevaporated off under vacuum. 7.5 g of the expected product are obtained.

B)(2S,4S)-1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide

A mixture of 7.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 100ml of DCM is cooled to 4° C., 5.7 ml of DIPEA and then 14.4 g of BOP areadded and this mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at 4° C. Dimethylaminegas is then added by sparging for 10 minutes and the mixture is stirredfor 3 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum,the residue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5%KHSO₄ solution, with 5% Na₂CO₃ solution, with saturated NaCl solutionand dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum.The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (93/7; v/v). 2.4 g of the expected product are obtained.

C) (2S,4S)-4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide hydrochloride

A mixture of 2.4 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 15ml of a 4N solution of HCl in dioxane is stirred for 2 hours at 4° C.The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum and without heating,the residue is taken up in ether and the precipitate formed isspin-filtered off. 0.9 g of the expected product is obtained.

Preparation 2.6 tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-5-[(dimethylamino)-carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate

(V): R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═—CH₂COO—C(CH₃)₃

A)(2S,4R)-1-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide

A mixture of 15 g of(2S,4R)-1-(benzyloxy-carbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid,7.64 g of HOBT and 11.65 g of DCC in 250 ml of DCM is stirred for 1 hourat RT. The reaction mixture is cooled on an ice bath, dimethylamine gasis added by sparging for 10 minutes and this mixture is stirred for 3hours at RT. An insoluble material is filtered off and the filtrate isconcentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in saturated Na₂CO₃solution and extracted with DCM, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 13 g of the expectedproduct are obtained in the form of an oil.

B) tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate

A mixture of 5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and 3 gof tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate in 100 ml of benzene is cooled to0° C., 50 ml of aqueous 50% NaOH solution are added, followed by dropwise addition of 5 g of tert-butyl bromoacetate, and this mixture isstirred vigorously for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture is diluted witha benzene/DCM mixture, the phases are separated by settling, the organicphase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvents are evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting withEtOAc. 6.3 g of the expected product are obtained in the form of an oil.

C) tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-5-[(dimethylamino)-carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate

A mixture of 6.3 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and0.7 g of 10% palladium-on-charcoal in 200 ml of EtOAc is hydrogenatedfor 3 hours, at RT and under atmospheric pressure. The catalyst isfiltered off on Celite and the filtrate is concentrated to half itsvolume under vacuum. A solution of the expected product is obtained,which is used in Preparations 3.43 and 3.44.

Preparation 2.7 (3R,5S)-5-[(Dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidine3-(4-morpholinyl)propionate

A) Benzyl(2S,4R)-4-(acryloyloxy)-2-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylate

A mixture of 5 g of the compound obtained in step A of Preparation 2.6and 2.31 g of triethylamine in 100 ml of DCM is cooled to 0° C., 1.6 mlof acryloyl chloride are added drop wise and the mixture is stirred for2 hours at 0° C. The reaction mixture is washed with water and driedover Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 5.5 g ofthe expected product are obtained in the form of an oil

B) Benzyl(2S,4R)-2-[(dimethylamino)-carbonyl]-4-[[3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoyl]oxy]-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylate

0.265 g of ferric chloride and then 2.13 g of morpholine are added to asolution of 5.5 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step in 100ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 18 hours at RT. The reactionmixture is washed with saturated Na₂SO₄ solution, the phases areseparated by settling, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographedon silica gel, eluting with DCM and then with a DCM/MeOH mixture (94/6;v/v). 4.5 g of the expected product are obtained in the form of an oil.

C) (3R,5S)-5-[(Dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidine3-(4-morpholinyl)propionate

A mixture of 4.2 g of the compound obtained in the preceding step and0.45 g of 10% palladium-on-charcoal in 200 ml of EtOAc is hydrogenatedfor 3 hours, at RT and at atmospheric pressure. The catalyst is filteredoff on Celite and the filtrate is concentrated to half its volume undervacuum. A solution of the expected product is obtained, which is used inthis form in Preparation 3.45.

Preparation of the compounds of formula (II).

Preparations 3.1 and 3.2(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

The compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 b) is dissolved in 5 ml of DCM,1.62 g of triethylamine are added, followed by a suspension of 2.2 g ofthe compound obtained in Preparation 1.1 in 2 ml of THF, and thismixture is stirred for 6 hours at RT. 3×0.8 g of triethylamine are thenadded over a period of 24 hours with stirring. At the end of thereaction, the formation of an abundant precipitate is observed. Theprecipitate formed is spin-filtered off and taken up in a mixtureconsisting of 5% K₂CO₃ solution and 100 ml of EtOAc containing 10 ml ofMeOH, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, with saturatedNaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvents are partiallyevaporated off under vacuum. The precipitate formed is spin-filtered offto give 0.875 g of isomer A. The spin-filtration mother liquors arecombined and chromatographed on alumina, eluting with a gradient of aDCM/MeOH mixture of from (96/4; v/v) to (95/5; v/v). The two isomers areseparated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.1, giving anadditional 0.359 g; m.p.=265-268° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+180° (c=0.16; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.2, which isrecrystallized from a DCM/iso-ether mixture to give 0.72 g, containing0.15 mol of iso-ether.α_(D) ²⁵=−193.7° C. (c=0.16; chloroform).

Preparations 3.3 and 3.4(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

0.8 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and then 3.5 ml ofDIPEA are added, at RT, to a mixture of 3 g of the compound obtained inPreparation 1.2 in 50 ml of DCM, and this mixture is stirred for 12hours at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5%K₂CO₃ solution, three times with water, with saturated NaCl solution anddried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (95/5; v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.3, which isre-chromatographed on alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5;v/v) to give 0.182 g.α_(D) ²⁵=+235.3° (c=0.15; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.4, which isre-chromatographed on alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5;v/v). 0.68 g is obtained after crystallization from a DCM/iso-ethermixture; m.p.=266-267° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−225.6° (c=0.117; chloroform).

Preparations 3.5 and 3.6(2S,4R)-1-[5-Methyl-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═CH₃; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

3.5 ml of DIPEA and then 1 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1a) are added to a mixture of 1.5 g of the compound obtained inPreparation 1.3 in 15 ml of DCM and 3 ml of THF, and this mixture isstirred for 5 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated undervacuum, the residue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washedwith 5% K₂CO₃ solution, three times with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.5, which iscrystallized from a DCM/iso-ether mixture. 0.183 g is obtained;m.p.=257-258° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+151.6° (c=0.122; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.6, which isre-chromatographed on alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (97/3;v/v). 0.498 g is obtained, which is used without further purification.

Preparations 3.7 and 3.8(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-2-(azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine,isomer A and isomer B

1.82 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.1 and then 2 ml ofDIPEA are added, at RT, to a solution of 0.9 g of the compound obtainedin Preparation 2.2 in 15 ml of DCM, and this mixture is heated at 40° C.for 3 hours. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is taken up in 5% K₂CO₃ solution and extracted three times withEtOAc, the combined organic phases are washed with water, with saturatedNaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated offunder vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on alumina, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.7, which isrecrystallized from iso-ether to give 0.243 g; m.p.=270-271° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+169.5° (c=0.115; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.8, to give 0.716 gwhich is used without further purification.

Preparations 3.9 and 3.10(2S,4R)-1-[3-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═OCF₃; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

4 ml of DIPEA and then 1.26 g of the compound obtained in Preparation2.1 a) are added to the solution of the compound obtained in Preparation1.4 in DCM, and this mixture is stirred for 4 hours at RT. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, twice withwater, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographedon alumina, eluting with DCM and then with a gradient of a DCM/MeOHmixture up to (95.5/4.5; v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.9, which iscrystallized from iso-ether to give 0.09 g; m.p.=231-233° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+152° (c=0.123; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.10, to give 0.323 g;m.p.=219-220° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−220° (c=0.11; chloroform).

Preparations 3.11 and 3.12(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-CH₃; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

The solution of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.5 in DCM iscooled to 0° C., 2.25 ml of DIPEA are added, followed by 0.83 g of thecompound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a), and this mixture is stirred for12 hours while allowing the temperature to return to RT. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, with water,with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent isevaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silicagel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5; v/v). The two isomers areseparated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.11, which iscrystallized from iso-ether to give 0.139 g, m.p.=260-261° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+162.5° (c=0.144; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.12, to give 0.606 gwhich is used without further purification.

Preparations 3.13 and 3.14(2S,4R)-1-[3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-5,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═CH₃; R₂=6-CH₃; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

The solution of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.6 in DCM iscooled to 0° C., 0.6 ml of DIPEA is added, followed by 0.7 g of thecompound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and this mixture is stirredovernight while allowing the temperature to rise to RT. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in 5%K₂CO₃ solution and extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is dried overNa₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5;v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.13.

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.14, to give 0.363 gin the form of an oil which is used without further purification.

Preparations 3.15 and 3.16(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄=3-OCH₃; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═CH₃

1.71 ml of DIPEA and then 0.75 g of the compound obtained in Preparation2.3 are added, at RT, to a solution of 1.1 g of the compound obtained inPreparation 1.7 in 20 ml of DCM, and this mixture is stirred for 3 hoursat RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue isextracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃solution, twice with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried overNa₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on alumina, eluting with a gradient of a DCM/MeOHmixture of from (98.5/1.5; v/v) to (98/2; v/v). The two isomers areseparated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.15, to give 0.32 g

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.16, which isrecrystallized from iso-ether to give 0.49 g; m.p.=235-237° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−160.7° (c=0.102; chloroform).

Preparations 3.17 and 3.18(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II) R₁═Cl; R₂=6-CF₃; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═CH₃

2.5 ml of DIPEA and 0.870 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.3are added to the solution of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.8 in10 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 10 hours at RT. Thereaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extractedwith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, twicewith water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographedon alumina, eluting with a gradient of a DCM/MeOH mixture (98.5/1.5;v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.17, which iscrystallized from DCM to give 0.23 g; m.p.=291-293° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+131.6° (c=0.12; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.18, which isprecipitated from hexane to give 0.44 g; m.p.=138-140° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−157.1° (c=0.098; chloroform).

Preparations 3.19 and 3.20(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methoxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II) R₁═Cl; R₂=6-OCH₃; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═CH₃

1.5 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.3 are added, under anargon atmosphere, to the suspension of the compound obtained inPreparation 1.9 in DCM, followed by drop wise addition of a solution of1.8 g of DIPEA in 2 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 2 hours atRT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue istaken up in 5% K₂CO₃ solution and extracted with EtOAc, the organicphase is washed with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried overNa₂SO₄, the EtOAc is partially concentrated and the precipitate formedis left to crystallize and is spin-filtered off. An isomer is separatedout:

isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.19, to give 0.581 g; m.p.=249-250°C.α_(D) ²⁵=+202.5° (c=0.12; chloroform).

The spin-filtration liquors are chromatographed on alumina, eluting witha DCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v). The other isomer is separated out:

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.20, to give 0.519 gafter crystallization from a DCM/EtOAc mixture; m.p.=243-244° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−221.8° (c=0.13; chloroform).

Preparations 3.21 and 3.22(2S,4R)-1-[6-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═CH₃; R₂=6-Cl; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═CH₃

5.5 ml of DIPEA and then 1.85 g of the compound obtained in Preparation2.3 are added to the solution of the compound obtained in Preparation1.10 in DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 12 hours at RT. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, twice withwater, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographedon alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture of from (99/1; v/v) to(98/2; v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.21, to give 0.7 gafter crystallization from iso-ether; m.p.=264° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+183° (c=0.1; chloroform);

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.22, to give 1.275 gafter crystallization from iso-ether; m.p.=245° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−195.1° (c=0.12; chloroform).

Preparations 3.23 and 3.24(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-ethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═−CH₂CH₃

A mixture of 2.15 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.1, 2 g ofthe compound obtained in Preparation 2.4 and 1.4 g of triethylamine in50 ml of THF is stirred for 48 hours at RT. The reaction mixture isconcentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in water andextracted with DCM, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is taken up in aDCM/EtOAc mixture (50/50; v/v), heated to reflux and left to stand. Theprecipitate formed is spin-filtered off and isolated:

isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.23, to give 1.1 g; m.p.=236° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+109° (c=0.22; chloroform).

The spin-filtration liquors are chromatographed on silica gel, elutingwith an EtOAc/MeOH mixture (97/3; v/v) and the other isomer is separatedout:

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.24, to give 1 gα_(D) ²⁵=−164° (c=0.25; chloroform).

Preparations 3.25 and 3.26(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II) R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄=3-OCH₃; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

2.5 ml of DIPEA and then 1 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1a) are added, at RT, to a solution of 1.6 g of the compound obtained inPreparation 1.7 in 10 ml of DCM and the mixture is stirred for 48 hoursat RT. The precipitate formed, corresponding to isomer A below, isspin-filtered off. The filtrate is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5%K₂CO₃ solution, with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried overNa₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of a DCM/MeOHmixture of from (99/1; v/v) to (93/7; v/v). The two isomers areseparated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.25, which isrecrystallized with the first crop above from a DCM/iso-ether mixture;m.p.=261-263° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+119.3° (c=0.135; chloroform)

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.26, which isrecrystallized in a DCM/iso-ether mixture to give 0.94 g; m.p.=167-169°C.α_(D) ²⁵=−168.6° (c=0.172; chloroform).

Preparations 3.27 and 3.28(2S,4R)-1-[5,6-Dichloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-Cl; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

1.6 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.11 and then 2.13 ml ofDIPEA are added, at RT, to a mixture of 0.8 g of the compound obtainedin Preparation 2.1 a) in 15 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 15minutes at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5%K₂CO₃ solution, with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried overNa₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5;v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.27, which iscrystallized from iso-ether to give 0.08 g; m.p.>260° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+219.4° (c=0.103; chloroform)

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.28, to give 0.661 gwhich is used without further purification.

Preparations 3.29 and 3.30 Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═OCH₃; R₆═H

4 ml of DIPEA and then 1.64 g of methyl(2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate hydrochloride are added, atRT, to a mixture of 1.4 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.1 in20 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 12 hours at RT. Thereaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extractedwith EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃ solution, withwater, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over sodium sulfate, andthe solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (97/3;v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar isomer, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.29, to give0.3 g; m.p.=234-235° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+143.3° (c=0.136; chloroform);

the more polar isomer, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.30, which isrecrystallized from a DCM/iso-ether/hexane mixture to give 1.1 gα_(D) ²⁵=−199.1° (c=0.112; chloroform).

Preparation 3.31 Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,mixture of the two diastereoisomers

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-CH₃; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═OCH₃; R₆′H

The solution of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.5 in DCM isconcentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in a mixture of 20 mlof THF and 10 ml of DCM, 0.715 g of methyl(2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate hydrochloride is added, atRT, followed by 0.8 g of triethylamine, and the mixture is stirred for48 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is extracted with DCM, the organic phase is washed with waterand dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum.The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/EtOAcmixture (50/50; v/v). 1.8 g of a mixture of the two diastereoisomers areobtained.

Preparation 3.32(2S,4S)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,mixture of the two diastereoisomers

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A mixture of 4.6 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.5 in 50 mlof DCM is cooled to 4° C., 2.7 g of the compound obtained in Preparation1.1 and then 5 ml of triethylamine are added and the mixture is stirredfor 48 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum,the residue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5%Na₂CO₃ solution, with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, andthe solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v).1.6 g of a mixture of the two diastereoisomers are obtained.

Preparation 3.33(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₂CH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

1.38 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and then 1.46 g ofDIPEA are added to a solution of 2 g of the compound obtained inPreparation 1.12 in 20 ml of DCM, and the mixture is stirred for 12hours at RT. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5%K₂CO₃ solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated offunder vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on alumina, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (95/5; v/v). The two diastereoisomers are separated andthe more polar compound is collected and re-chromatographed on silicagel, eluting with a DCM/EtOAc mixture (60/40; v/v) and then withDCM/MeOH (94/6; v/v). 0.726 g of the expected product is obtained.

Preparations 3.34 and 3.35(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCF₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A mixture of 1.6 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.13, 0.8 gof the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and 1 ml of DIPEA in 20ml of DCM is stirred for 24 hours at RT. The precipitate formed,corresponding to isomer A, which is the less polar compound on silicagel, DCM/MeOH (98/2; v/v) (compound of Preparation 3.34), isspin-filtered off. The spin-filtration liquors are placed at 0° C. for48 hours and the precipitate formed, again corresponding to isomer A, isspin-filtered off. The spin-filtration liquors are washed with water,the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated offunder vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting witha DCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v). The other isomer is separated out:

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.35, to give 0.2 g.

Preparations 3.36 and 3.37(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═F; R₄=3-F; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A mixture of 0.4 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.14, 0.3 gof the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and 0.45 g of DIPEA in 20ml of DCM is stirred for 2 hours at RT. The precipitate formed,corresponding to isomer A, which is the less polar compound on alumina,DCM/MeOH (98/2; v/v) (compound of Preparation 3.36), is spin-filteredoff. The spin-filtration liquors are concentrated under vacuum, theresidue is taken up in an EtOAc/acetone mixture, the resulting mixtureis left for 12 hours under cold conditions, and the precipitate, againcorresponding to isomer A, is spin-filtered off. The spin-filtrationliquors are washed with water, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v).The other isomer is separated out:

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.37, to give 0.1 g.α_(D) ²⁵=231° (c=0.16; chloroform).

Preparations 3.38 and 3.39(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄=4-OCH₃; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

1.5 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) are added to asolution of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.15 and 1 ml oftriethylamine in 20 ml of DCM, and this mixture is stirred for 1 hour atRT. The reaction mixture is washed twice with water, the organic phaseis dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. Theresidue is chromatographed on alumina, eluting with DCM and then with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98.2; v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.38

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.39, to give 0.26 gα_(D) ²⁵=−157° (c=0.15; chloroform).

Preparation 3.40(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃+R₄=2,3-O—CH₂—O—; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A mixture of 1.7 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.16, 0.9 gof the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and 1 ml of DIPEA in 20ml of DCM is stirred for 2 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is washedwith water, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent isevaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on alumina,eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (97/3; v/v). The two diastereoisomersare separated out and the more polar compound is collected. 0.42 g ofthe expected product is obtained.α_(D) ²⁵=−108° (c=0.12; chloroform).

Preparations 3.41 and 3.42(2S,4R)-1-[5,6-Dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-Cl; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H

A mixture of 1.57 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.17, 1.45 gof the compound obtained in Preparation 2.1 a) and 0.8 ml of DIPEA in 15ml of DCM is stirred for 1 hour 30 minutes at RT. The precipitateformed, corresponding to isomer A, which is the less polar compound onsilica gel, DCM/MeOH (94/6; v/v), is spin-filtered off. Thespin-filtration liquors are concentrated under vacuum, the residue isextracted with EtOAc, the organic phase is washed with 5% K₂CO₃solution, with water, with saturated NaCl solution and dried overNa₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with the DCM/MeOH mixture (94/6;v/v). The two isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.41, which iscrystallized from an iso-ether/MeOH mixture to give 0.295 g;m.p.=261-262° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+113.8° (c=0.12; chloroform)

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.42, to give 0.74 g.

Preparations 3.43 and 3.44 tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl)-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate,isomer A and isomer B

(II): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═—CH₂COOC(CH₃)₃

200 ml of THF, 1.87 g of triethylamine and then 4.5 g of the compoundobtained in Preparation 1.1 are added to the solution of the compoundobtained in Preparation 2.6 and the mixture is refluxed for 48 hours.The product is concentrated under vacuum and the residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (96/4;v/v). The isomers are separated:

the less polar, isomer A: compound of Preparation 3.43, to give 1 g

the more polar, isomer B: compound of Preparation 3.44, to give 3 g inthe form of an oil.α_(D) ²⁵=−154° (c=0.37; chloroform).

Preparation 3.45(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)-carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoate, mixture of the two diastereoisomers

A solution of 3 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 1.1 in 100 mlof THF is added to the solution of the compound obtained in Preparation2.7 in EtOAc, and the mixture is stirred for 4 days at RT. The reactionmixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water and dried over Na₂SO₄, andthe solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (92/8;v/v). 4.2 g of the expected product are obtained in the form of a foam.

EXAMPLE 1(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer, 0.25 iso-ether

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H; R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

A mixture of 0.67 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 3.2 (isomerB) in 10 ml of DMF is cooled to 0° C., under an argon atmosphere, 0.069g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added and the mixture is stirred untilthe evolution of gas has ceased. 0.404 g of 2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonylchloride is then added and the mixture is stirred for 3 hours at RT. Thereaction mixture is poured into 5% K₂CO₃ solution and extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on alumina, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (99/1; v/v). 0.565 g of the expected product isobtained after crystallization from a DCM/iso-ether mixture.α_(D) ²⁵=−200° C. (c=0.26; chloroform).

¹H NMR: DMSO-d₆+TFA, 360 K: δ (ppm): 1.6: mt: 2H; 2.1 to 3.1: m: 8H;3.35: s: 3H; 3.7: s: 3H; 3.9: s: 3H; 4.4: mt: 1H; 4.6: mt: 1H; 6.6 to8.1: m: 10H.

EXAMPLE 2(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H; R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

0.04 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added, at RT and under an argonatmosphere, to a solution of 0.559 g of the compound obtained in Example1 in 6 ml of DMF, and stirring is continued until the evolution of gashas ceased. 0.11 ml of methyl iodide is then added and the mixture isstirred for 24 hours at RT. A further 0.04 g of 60% sodium hydride inoil is added, followed by 0.33 ml of methyl iodide, with stirring for 3days at RT. The reaction mixture is poured into water and extracted withEtOAc, the organic phase is washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v). 0.082 g of the expected product isobtained after crystallization from a DCM/iso-ether mixture;m.p.=189-191° C.

EXAMPLE 3(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H; R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

A mixture of 0.567 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 3.4 (isomerB) in 5.5 ml of DMF is cooled to 0° C., under an argon atmosphere, 0.062g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added and the mixture is stirred for10 minutes. 0.338 g of 2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride is thenadded and the mixture is stirred for 3 hours at RT. Water is added tothe reaction mixture, the resulting mixture is extracted three timeswith EtOAc, the combined organic phases are washed with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v). 0.647 g of the expected product isobtained after crystallization from iso-ether; m.p.=254-256° C.α_(D) ²⁵=−250° (c=0.142; chloroform).

EXAMPLE 4(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-methoxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂=6-OCH₃; R₃═Cl; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H; R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

0.072 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added at RT, under an argonatmosphere, to a suspension of 0.719 g of the compound obtained inPreparation 3.20 (isomer B) in 7 ml of DMF, and the mixture is stirreduntil the evolution of gas has ceased. 0.390 g of2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride is then added and the mixture isstirred for 3 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is poured into 5% K₂CO₃solution and extracted with EtOAc and then with DCM, the organic phasesare washed separately with water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and combined, andthe solvents are partially concentrated under vacuum to the point ofcrystallization. The precipitate formed is spin-filtered off to give0.735 g of the expected product; m.p.=283-288° C.α_(D) ²⁵=266.3° (c=0.11; chloroform).

EXAMPLE 5(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H; R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

A solution of 0.043 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 3.2(isomer B) in 1 ml of THF is cooled to −30° C., under a nitrogenatmosphere, a solution of 0.22 g of potassium tert-butoxide in 1 ml ofTHF is added and the mixture is stirred for 15 minutes while allowingthe temperature to rise to 0° C. A solution of 0.035 g of3,4-dimethoxybenzene-sulfonyl chloride in 1 ml of THF is then added withstirring, while allowing the temperature to return to RT, and themixture is then heated at 30° C. for 2 hours 15 minutes. 0.1 g ofPS-Trisamine is added and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour 15 minutesat RT. 1 ml of DCM and 1 ml of water are added with stirring, theaqueous phase is then removed by filtration through a Whatman FT 5.0μPTFE filter and the organic phase is concentrated under vacuum. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCM and then witha DCM/EtOAc mixture of from (90/10; v/v) to (70/30; v/v) and finallywith a DCM/MeOH mixture of from (99/1; v/v) to (96/4; v/v). 0.026 g ofthe expected product is obtained.

MH⁺=629.

EXAMPLE 6 Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═OCH₃; R₆═H; R₇=3-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

A mixture of 0.477 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 3.30(isomer B) in 4.7 ml of DMF is cooled to 0° C. under an argonatmosphere, 0.055 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added and themixture is stirred for 10 minutes. 0.297 g of3,4-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride is then added, and the mixture isstirred for 3 hours 30 minutes at RT. Water is added to the reactionmixture, the resulting mixture is extracted three times with EtOAc, thecombined organic phases are washed with water, with saturated NaClsolution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off undervacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (97/3; v/v). 0.3 g of the expected product is obtainedafter crystallization from a DCM/iso-ether mixture.α_(D) ²⁵=139.1° (c=0.115; chloroform).

EXAMPLES 7 AND 8(2S,4S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,laevorotatory isomer and dextrorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═H; R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃

A mixture of 0.82 g of the compound obtained in Preparation 3.32(mixture of diastereoisomers) in 5 ml of DMF is cooled to 4° C., under anitrogen atmosphere, 0.076 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil is added andthe mixture is stirred at 4° C. for 30 minutes. 0.451 g of2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride is then added and the mixture isstirred for 3 hours at RT. 50 ml of water are added to the reactionmixture, the resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc, the organicphase is washed with 5% Na₂CO₃ solution, with saturated NaCl solutionand dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum.The residue is chromatographed on alumina, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (99.2/0.8; v/v). The two diastereoisomers are separated:

the less polar: compound of Example 7, 0.122 g of which is collectedafter crystallization from hexane; m.p.=151° C.α_(D) ²⁵=154° (c=0.1; chloroform)

the more polar, compound of Example 8, which is obtained aftercrystallization from a DCM/iso-ether mixture; m.p.=283° C.α_(D) ²⁵=+140° (c=0.1; chloroform)

Working according to the procedures described in the Examples above,starting with the compounds of formula (II) described in Preparations 3and 2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride, the compounds according tothe invention collated in Table I below are prepared: TABLE I (I)

Solvate, hydrate; m.p.° C.; crystallization Exam- solvent; α_(D) ²⁵ plesR1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (chloroform)  9 CH₃ H OCH₃ H —N(CH₃)₂ H 0.65 H₂O (a)162-164 iso-ether −202.8° (c = 0.139) 10 (b) Cl H OCH₃ H

H 0.25 H₂O 161-162 iso-ether −205.9° (c = 0.135) 11 OCHF₃ H OCH₃ H—N(CH₃)₂ H — (c) 147 DCM/hexane −223° (c = 0.13) 12 Cl 6-CH₃ OCH₃ H—N(CH₃)₂ H — (d) — iso-ether −162.1° (c = 0.103) 13 CH₃ 6-CH₃ Cl H—N(CH₃)₂ H 1 H₂O (e) 232 DCM/iso-ether −239° (c = 0.1) 14 Cl H OCH₃3-OCH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ —CH₃ — (f) 233-234 DCM/iso-ether −198° (c = 0.11) 15 Cl6-CF₃ OCH₃ H —N(CH₃)₂ —CH₃ — (g) 230-231 DCM/iso-ether −170° (c = 0.11)16 CH₃ 6-Cl OCH₃ H —N(CH₃)₂ —CH₃ — (h) 238-240 DCM/iso-ether −163.2° (c= 0.12) 17 Cl H OCH₃ H —N(CH₃)₂ —CH₂CH₃ — (i) 169 iso-ether/hexane −207°(c = 0.2) 18 Cl H OCH₃ 3-OCH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ H — (j) 148-150 DCM/iso-ether−207.3° (c = 0.11) 19 Cl 6-Cl Cl H —N(CH₃)₂ H — (k) 181 iso-ether−265.3° (c = 0.17) 20 Cl H OCH₃ H OCH₃ H — (l) 185-186 DCM/iso-ether−131° (c = 0.17) 21 Cl 6-CH₃ OCH₃ H OCH₃ H — (m) 226 DCM/iso-ether −131°(c = 0.17) 22 Cl H OCH₂CH₃ H —N(CH₃)₂ H — (n) 135-149 ether/iso-ether−188.3° (c = 0.11) 23 Cl H OCF₃ H —N(CH₃)₂ H — (o) — — −105° (c = 0.12)24 Cl H F 3-F —N(CH₃)₂ H — (p) — — −174° (c = 0.15) 25 Cl H OCH₃ 4-OCH₃—N(CH₃)₂ H — (q) 183 iso-ether −194° (c = 0.16) 26 Cl H 2,3-O—CH₂—O——N(CH₃)₂ H — (r) 192 iso-ether −200° (c = 0.16) 27 Cl 6-Cl OCH₃ H—N(CH₃)₂ H — (s) 160-161 iso-ether/DCM −138.8° (c = 0.11)

(a) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.6,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (97/3; v/v).

(b) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.8,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v).

(c) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.10,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v).

(d) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.12,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (96/4; v/v).

(e) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 1, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.14,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98.5/1.5; v/v).

(f) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 1, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.16,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98.5/1.5; v/v).

(g) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 1, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.18,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98/2; v/v).

(h) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 1, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.22,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (98.5/1.5; v/v).

(i) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.24,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/EtOAc mixture (80/20; v/v).

(j) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.26,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (91/9; v/v).

¹H NMR: DMSO-d₆: δ (ppm): 1.4 to 3.3: m: 10H; 3.4 to 3.95: 3s: 9H; 4.2to 5.0: m: 3H; 6.6 to 8.0: m: 9H.

(k) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.28,isomer B.

(l) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.30,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with aDCM/MeOH mixture (97/3; v/v).

(m) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.31(mixture of diastereoisomers). The product is chromatographed on silicagel, eluting with a DCM/EtOAc mixture (50/50; v/v) and the (−) isomer isseparated out.

(n) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.33. Theproduct is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (95.5/4.5; v/v).

(o) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.35,isomer B.

(p) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.37,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on alumina, eluting with aDCM/EtOAc mixture (97/3; v/v).

(q) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.39,isomer B. The product is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting withDCM.

(r) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.40. Theproduct is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with DCM and then witha DCM/MeOH mixture (99/1; v/v).

(s) This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with the compound obtained in Preparation 3.42. Theproduct is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (96/4; v/v).

EXAMPLE 28 tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)-carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═—CH₂COOC(CH₃)₃;R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃.

This compound is prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with 2.9 g of the compound obtained in Preparation3.44 (isomer B), 0.233 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil, 15 ml of DMF and1.25 g of 2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride. The product ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/EtOAc mixture (80/20;v/v). 3 g of the expected product are obtained after crystallizationfrom hexane.α_(D) ²⁰=−159° (c=0.23; chloroform).

EXAMPLE 292-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]aceticacid 0.55 trifluoroacetate, laevorotatory isomer

(I), TFA: R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═—CH₂COOH; R₇322-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃.

A mixture of 3 g of the compound obtained in Example 28 and 15 ml of TFAin 15 ml of DCM is stirred for 3 hours at RT. The reaction mixture isconcentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in iso-ether and theprecipitate formed is spin-filtered off. 2.2 g of the expected productare obtained.α_(D) ²⁰=−179° (c=0.31; chloroform).

EXAMPLE 30 (2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[2-[[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]-2-oxoethoxy]-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═N(CH₃)₂; R₆═—CH₂CONHC(CH₃)(CH₂OH)₂;R₇=2-OCH₃; R₈═OCH₃.

A mixture of 0.5 g of the compound obtained in Example 29, 0.085 g of2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 0.290 g of BOP and 0.187 g oftriethylamine in 20 ml of DCM is stirred for 3 hours at RT. The reactionmixture is diluted by addition of DCM, the organic phase is washed withwater, with saturated Na₂CO₃ solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, and thesolvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue is chromatographedon silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (94/6; v/v). 0.31 g ofthe expected product is obtained after crystallization from iso-ether;m.p. =154° C.α_(D) ²⁰=−142° (c=0.19; chloroform).

EXAMPLE 31(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-4-[2-oxo-2-(1-piperazinyl)ethoxy]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamidebis(trifluoroacetate), laevorotatory isomer

(I), 2TFA: R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅—N(CH₃)₂;

A)

A mixture of 0.7 g of the compound obtained in Example 29, 0.2 g of1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-piperazine, 0.404 g of BOP and 0.263 g oftriethylamine in 20 ml of DCM is stirred for 2 hours at RT. Water isadded to the reaction mixture and the resulting mixture is extractedwith DCM, the organic phase is washed with saturated Na₂CO₃ solution anddried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOHmixture (97/3; v/v). The product thus obtained is taken up in hexane andthe precipitate formed is spin-filtered off to give 0.7 g.

B)

A mixture of 0.7 g of the compound obtained in step A and 10 ml of TFAin 10 ml of DCM is stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture isconcentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in ether and theprecipitate formed is spin-filtered off. 0.6 g of the expected productis obtained; m.p.=166° C.α_(D) ²⁰=−133° (c=0.27; chloroform).

EXAMPLE 32(2S,4R)-1-[(2,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-4-[2-oxo-2-(4-morpholinyl)ethoxy]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,laevorotatory isomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═—N(CH₃)₂;

A mixture of 0.6 g of the compound obtained in Example 29, 0.085 g ofmorpholine, 0.347 g of BOP and 0.227 g of triethylamine in 20 ml of DCMis stirred for 2 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is extracted withDCM, the organic phase is washed with water and dried over Na₂SO₄, andthe solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. The residue ischromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (95/5;v/v). 0.53 g of the expected product is obtained after crystallizationfrom iso-ether; m.p.=210° C.α_(D) ²⁰=−153° (c=0.28; chloroform).

EXAMPLES 33 AND 34(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoate, laevorotatory isomer and dextrorotatoryisomer

(I): R₁═Cl; R₂═H; R₃═OCH₃; R₄═H; R₅═—N(CH₃)₂;

These compounds are prepared according to the procedure described inExample 3, starting with 3.1 g of the compound obtained in Preparation3.45, 20 ml of DMF, 0.238 g of 60% sodium hydride in oil and 1.27 g of2,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride. The product is chromatographed onsilica gel, eluting with a DCM/MeOH mixture (90/10; v/v). The twodiastereoisomers are separated:

the less polar: compound of Example 33, 2.8 g of which are obtainedafter solidification in hexane.α_(D) ²⁰=−154° (c=0.3; chloroform).

the more polar: compound of Example 34, 1.3 g of which are obtainedafter solidification in hexane.α_(D) ²⁰=+127° (c=0.29; chloroform).

1. A method for the treatment of a disease comprising administering to apatient in need of said treatment an effective amount of a compound offormula I:

wherein R₁ is halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl ortrifluoromethoxy; R₂ is hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxyor trifluoromethyl; or R₂ is in position -6- of the indol-2-one ring andR₁ and R₂ together form a divalent trimethylene radical; R₃ is halogen,hydroxyl, (C₁-C₂)alkyl, (C₁-C₂)alkoxy or trifluoromethoxy; R₄ ishydrogen; halogen, (C₁-C₂)alkyl or (C₁-C₂)alkoxy; or R₄ is in position-3- of the phenyl and R₃ and R₄ together form a methylenedioxy radical;R₅ is ethylamino, dimethylamino, azetidin-1-yl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; R₆ ishydrogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉, or —CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁; R₇ is(C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₈ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₉ is hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy or—NR₁₂R₁₃; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are each independently (C₁-C₄)alkyl; or R₁₀ andR₁₁, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached,constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen from: azetidin-1-yl,pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl orthiomorpholin-4-yl; R₁₂ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)alkyl; R₁₃ is(C₁-C₄)alkyl, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH, —C(CH₃)(CH₂OH)₂, or —C(CH₂OH)₃; or R₁₂ andR₁₃, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached,constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen from: azetidin-1-yl,pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl orthiomorpholin-4-yl; and n is 1 or 2; or an acid-addition salt, solvateor hydrate thereof; and wherein said disease is selected from the groupconsisting of obesity, type II diabetes, insulin resistance,hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis, Cushing's syndrome, hypertension,pulmonary hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, myocardial infarction,coronary vasospasm, Raynaud's disease, unstable angina, percutaneoustransluminal coronary angioplasty, cardiac ischemia, haemostasisdisorders, migraine, cerebral vasospasm, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebraledema, depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panicattack, renal vasospasm, renal cortex necrosis, nephrogenic diabetesinsipidus, gastric vasospasm, cirrhosis of the liver, ulcers, nausea anddiabetic nephropathy.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidcompound of formula (I) is having: R₁ is halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl,(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy; R₂ is hydrogen,halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy or trifluoromethyl; R₃ is halogen,hydroxyl, (C₁-C₂)alkyl, (C₁-C₂)alkoxy or trifluoromethoxy; R₄ ishydrogen; halogen, (C₁-C₂)alkyl or (C₁-C₂)alkoxy; R₅ is ethylamino ordimethylamino; R₆ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)alkyl; R₇ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; andR₈ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; or an acid-addition salt, solvate or hydratethereof.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said compound offormula (I) is in the form of an optically pure isomer.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is of theformula:

wherein: the carbon atom bearing substituent OR₆ has the (R)configuration and the carbon atom in position 3 of the indol-2-one haseither the (R) configuration or the (S) configuration.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is in theform of a levorotatory isomer.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein said compound of formula (I) is having: R₁ is chlorine, methylor trifluoromethoxy; R₂ is hydrogen or is in position -6- of theindol-2-one and is chlorine, methyl, methoxy or trifluoromethyl; R₃ ischlorine, fluorine, methoxy or ethoxy; R₄ is hydrogen or is in position-3- or -4- of the phenyl and is fluorine or methoxy; R₅ isdimethylamino; R₆ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R₇ is in position -2- ofthe phenyl and is methoxy; and R₈ is methoxy; or an acid-addition salt,solvate or hydrate thereof.
 7. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid compound of formula (I) is having: R₁ is halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl,(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy; R₂ is hydrogen,halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy or trifluoromethyl; or R₂ is inposition -6- of the indol-2-one ring and R₁ and R₂ together form adivalent trimethylene radical; R₄ is in position -3- of the phenyl andR₃ and R₄ together form a methylenedioxy radical; R₅ is ethylamino,dimethylamino, azetidin-1-yl or (C₁-C₂)alkoxy; R₆ is hydrogen,(C₁-C₄)alkyl, —(CH₂)n-CO—R₉ or —CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁; R₇ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy;R₈ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₉ is hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy or —NR₁₂R₁₃; R₁₀ andR₁₁ are each independently (C₁-C₄)alkyl; or R₁₀ and R₁₁, together withthe nitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute a heterocyclicradical chosen from azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl,piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl; R₁₂ is hydrogen or(C₁-C₄)alkyl; R₁₃ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH, —C(CH₃)(CH₂OH)₂, or—C(CH₂OH)₃; or R₁₂ and R₁₃, together with the nitrogen atom to whichthey are attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen fromazetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl; and n is 1 or 2; or anacid-addition salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.
 8. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is having: R₁ ishalogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl ortrifluoromethoxy; R₂ is hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxyor trifluoromethyl; or R₂ is in position -6- of the indol-2-one ring andR₁ and R₂ together form a divalent trimethylene radical; R₃ is halogen,hydroxyl, (C₁-C₂)alkyl, (C₁-C₂)alkoxy or trifluoromethoxy; R₄ ishydrogen; halogen, (C₁-C₂)alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; R₄ is in position -3-of the phenyl and R₃ and R₄ together form a methylenedioxy radical; R₅is azetidin-1-yl or (C₁-C₂)alkoxy; R₆ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl,—(CH₂)n-CO—R₉ or —CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁; R₇ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₈ is(C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₉ is hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy or —NR₁₂R₁₃; R₁₀ and R₁₁are each independently (C₁-C₄)alkyl; p1 or R₁₀ and R₁₁, together withthe nitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute a heterocyclicradical chosen from azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl,piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl; R₁₂ is hydrogen or(C₁-C₄)alkyl; R₁₃ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH, —C(CH₃)(CH₂OH)₂ or—C(CH₂OH)₃; or R₁₂ and R₁₃, together with the nitrogen atom to whichthey are attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen fromazetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl; and n is 1 or 2; or anacid-addition salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is having: R₁ ishalogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl ortrifluoromethoxy; R₂ is hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxyor trifluoromethyl; or R₂ is in position -6- of the indol-2-one ring andR₁ and R₂ together form a divalent trimethylene radical; R₃ is halogen,hydroxyl, (C₁-C₂)alkyl, (C₁-C₂)alkoxy or trifluoromethoxy; R₄ ishydrogen; halogen, (C₁-C₂)alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; R₄ is in position -3-of the phenyl and R₃ and R₄ together form a methylenedioxy radical; R₅is ethylamino, dimethylamino, azetidin-1-yl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; R₆ is—(CH₂)n-CO—R₉ or —CO—(CH₂)n-NR₁₀R₁₁; R₇ is (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₈ is(C₁-C₄)alkoxy; R₉ is hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy or —NR₁₂R₁₃; R₁₀ and R₁₁are each independently (C₁-C₄)alkyl; or R₁₀ and R₁₁, together with thenitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute a heterocyclicradical chosen from azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl,piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl; R₁₂ is hydrogen or(C₁-C₄)alkyl; R₁₃ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH, —C(CH₃)(CH₂OH)₂ or—C(CH₂OH)₃; or R₁₂ and R₁₃, together with the nitrogen atom to whichthey are attached, constitute a heterocyclic radical chosen fromazetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperid-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl,morpholin-4-yl or thiomorpholin-4-yl; and n is 1 or 2; or anacid-addition salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.
 10. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from thegroup consisting of:(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-methoxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-carboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer; Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidine-carboxylate,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Methyl-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-2-(azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Trifluoromethoxy-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-5,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[6-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-ethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5,6-Dichloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer; Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,levorotatory isomer; Methyl(2S,4R)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-methoxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5,6-Dichloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer; tert-Butyl2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-chloro-1-[(2,4-di-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]acetate,levorotatory isomer;2-[[(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxy]aceticacid, levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[2-[[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]-2-oxoethoxy]-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-4-[2-oxo-2-(1-piperazinyl)ethoxy]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer;(2S,4R)-1-[[(2,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-4-[2-oxo-2-(4-morpholinyl)ethoxy]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer; and(3R,5S)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl3-(4-morpholinyl)propanoate, levorotatory isomer; or an acid-additionsalt, solvate or hydrate thereof.
 11. The method according to claim 1,wherein said compound of formula (I) is:(2S,4R)-1-[5-Chloro-1-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-sulfonyl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide,levorotatory isomer.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein saiddisease is depression.
 13. The method according to claim 2, wherein saiddisease is depression.
 14. The method according to claim 11, whereinsaid disease is depression.
 15. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid disease is anxiety.
 16. The method according to claim 2, whereinsaid disease is anxiety.
 17. The method according to claim 11, whereinsaid disease is anxiety.
 18. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid disease is stress.
 19. The method according to claim 2, whereinsaid disease is stress.
 20. The method according to claim 11, whereinsaid disease is stress.
 21. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid disease is obsessive compulsive disorder.
 22. The method accordingto claim 2, wherein said disease is obsessive compulsive disorder. 23.The method according to claim 11, wherein said disease is obsessivecompulsive disorder.
 24. The method according to claim 1, wherein saiddisease is panic attack.
 25. The method according to claim 2, whereinsaid disease is panic attack.
 26. The method according to claim 11,wherein said disease is panic attack.
 27. The method according to claim1, wherein said disease is migraine.
 28. The method according to claim2, wherein said disease is migraine.
 29. The method according to claim11, wherein said disease is migraine.
 30. The method according to claim1, wherein said disease is cerebral vasospasm.
 31. The method accordingto claim 2, wherein said disease is cerebral vasospasm.
 32. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein said disease is cerebral vasospasm. 33.The method according to claim 1, wherein said disease is cerebralhemorrhage.
 34. The method according to claim 2, wherein said disease iscerebral hemorrhage.
 35. The method according to claim 11, wherein saiddisease is cerebral hemorrhage.
 36. The method according to claim 1,wherein said disease is cerebral edema.
 37. The method according toclaim 2, wherein said disease is cerebral edema.
 38. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein said disease is cerebral edema.